Wake County budgets $10.8 million for coronavirus response
Wake County commissioners voted unanimously Monday afternoon to authorize an additional $8.8 million dollars in emergency spending for the county's coronavirus response, bringing the total to $10.8 million so far.
Posted — UpdatedWake County commissioners voted unanimously Monday afternoon to authorize an additional $8.8 million dollars in emergency spending for coronavirus response.
The board approved $2 million on March 16. But county staff said the cost already stands at $3.8 million as of April 3.
The funds are needed for salaries and overtime, emergency supplies, protective equipment for first responders, public services, feeding services and contracts for other community services, said Wake County Manager David Ellis.
County Financial Officer Emily Lucas said it's likely the county will be reimbursed for the majority of that money by the federal government's aid package approved last month.
In natural disasters, Lucas said, reimbursement usually covers 50 to 75 percent of response expenses. She said this package appears to be more generous, but that they're "still learning."
Ellis said commissioners made the right move in issuing a stay-at-home order effective March 26.
“I believe as the data comes in you will see this was the right step to take at the right time,” he said.
Ellis said the county government received 5,000 calls in two days after the order was announced, mostly from people asking how the order might apply to their business or event.
He said traffic to the county website soared 30% in March.
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