November 25th, 2020
Monroe County Executive Adam Bello announced today that Monroe County will provide local municipalities and fire districts with more than $9 million in federal CARES Act funding to reimburse them for COVID-19-related expenses.
“As we all know, the COVID-19 pandemic has not only had a devastating impact on our public health but has also increased the need for vital local government services,” said County Executive Bello. “It’s always been my goal to help our local government partners as we work together to fight COVID-19 and keep our community safe. I am hopeful that this additional funding for our partner governments will help mitigate their unexpected costs and buffer any impact on their budgets. The financial weight of this pandemic should not fall on our local residents and taxpayers.”
In total, Monroe County expects to distribute $9 million in federal CARES Act funding to towns, villages, fire districts and the City of Rochester. Nearly $5.4 million will be distributed to towns and villages; $3.4 million to the City; and about $90,000 to fire districts. The funds will be used to offset public safety, public health, human services and other costs incurred while responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every sector of our society, especially local municipalities that are struggling to respond to the needs of their communities,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “I’m proud to have secured funding through the CARES Act to help offset the expenses towns and villages have incurred as they work to combat this health crisis and support our first responders, workers, and families. I’m grateful to County Executive Bello for his partnership as we navigate this unprecedented challenge and will continue working alongside him to ensure our community has the resources it needs to get through this crisis.”
U.S. Senator Charles Schumer said, “As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread, Monroe County towns and their frontline workers have devoted significant resources to help residents, businesses, schools and more throughout this pandemic. I was proud to secure this funding in the CARES Act to spare local taxpayers and give this financial relief to Monroe County’s municipalities to cover costs they have undertaken due to the pandemic in order to keep our communities safe.”
“Local governments across New York are struggling and they are in desperate need of federal resources to shoulder the financial burden caused by the pandemic,” said U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. “This CARES Act funding will help alleviate that burden for communities throughout Monroe County. As coronavirus cases spike across the state, it’s clear that more relief will be needed. It is well past time for Leader McConnell to take action on a new, comprehensive legislation so that families, small businesses, and local governments are supported for the duration of this crisis.”
Like Monroe County, many municipal governments found themselves with revenue shortfalls and added expenses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using CARES funding to help ensure that those local governments are made whole is a responsible and prudent use of this federal aid.
“Local governments throughout America have been glad to do their part in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in order to help protect the wellbeing of our constituents,” said Irondequoit Supervisor Dave Seeley. “We have done this knowing the impact of the virus on our fiscal situation. And while, just like every business and family in Irondequoit, we have tightened our belts at Town Hall, I am nonetheless grateful to County Executive Bello for working to provide this valuable funding. It will protect our property taxpayers and ensure we are still investing in that which allows our government to best serve those taxpayers.”
"The Town of Gates is very appreciative of the County and its efforts to help us receive CARES Act funding. The funding will allow us to offset additional public safety and unplanned equipment expenses in 2020,” said Gates Town Supervisor Cosmo Giunta
