Governor Ron DeSantis Announces State of Florida to Begin Disbursement of CARES Act Funds to Counties

Funding will be disbursed to counties with populations below 500,000

Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the State of Florida’s plan to disburse up to $1.275 billion in CARES Act funds to counties with a population below 500,000. The United States Treasury previously disbursed over $2.472 billion in funding to all counties whose populations exceed 500,000 in Florida. Using a phased approach, the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) will distribute funds to the remaining counties, beginning with an initial disbursement of 25% of each county’s allocation.
 
“Starting in March when we initiated our response to COVID-19, we knew that the only way to keep Floridians safe was to work closely with our partners at the local level,” said Governor DeSantis. “As we have reopened in a safe, smart, step-by-step way, we have had local support at every juncture. I’m proud that today, we are able to provide funding back to these counties, so that they can really begin their recovery from this virus. We thank President Trump and our federal partners for providing this relief to Florida.”
 
“From the beginning of this administration, we have shown our commitment to cutting red tape and getting funding out the door, as demonstrated by paying out more than $2.4 billion in hurricane recovery funding since January 2019, and more than $450 million since March 15,” said FDEM Director Jared Moskowitz. “Throughout our COVID-19 response, we have once again used every available resource to keep Floridians safe and support our local partners. We are ready to hit the ground running on this CARES Act funding, which we know will be a critical resource to Florida’s recovery.”
 
To receive the disbursement, county governments must sign a funding agreement with the Division of Emergency Management stating:

•  The County will use the fund disbursement on eligible expenditures as defined by the CARES Act, and related guidance from the U.S. Department of the Treasury;
• The County agrees to repay the State of Florida any portion of the disbursed funds that is unused, or is not utilized in accordance with the CARES act stipulations; and
• The County agrees to submit quarterly reports to FDEM detailing the expenditure of disbursed funds as well as projections of eligible expenditures.

 
Counties should contact the Division of Emergency Management to enter into the funding agreement to receive the disbursement of funds. Counties may also submit a request to FDEM for additional funds in excess of their 25% initial disbursement on a reimbursement basis for expenditures eligible under the CARES Act.
 
All counties, including counties that already received direct payment from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, should provide funds to municipalities located within their jurisdiction on a reimbursement basis for expenditures eligible under the CARES Act and related guidance.
 
For more information on the CARES Act, including guidance and frequently asked questions issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, see HERE.