Louisville Metro Council Thursday agreed to send $2.7 million toward community assistance through nonprofit agencies that may be negatively affected by the coronavirus pandemic in Jefferson County.
The money is intended to flow toward emergency housing and food assistance. It will come with oversight mechanisms to ensure it's used as a last resort and when there is genuine need.
The main sponsor, Councilman Markus Winkler, D-17th, said last week it was important to prepare for the "new reality, which is that things are going to be challenging for people over the coming months."
"We just want to make the public aware that we stand ready to make (these) services available," he said.
The ordinance passed, 23-2. An additional council member voted "present," after more than an hour of debate.
It was filed as "special legislation" in order to be voted on Thursday by the full council without first going through a committee.
The full Metro Council met in a partly virtual meeting, with a dozen council members appearing via video and others in the council chambers, separated with seats in between them to observe recommended social-distancing.
Background: Amid COVID-19 outbreak, Metro Council eyes sending $2.7M to housing, food pantries
The $2.7 million in question is part of a $4 million year-end surplus from fiscal year 2018-19. It was originally set aside in a newly created "pension mitigation fund" for anticipated state bills in upcoming budget cycles.
Instead, the money will go to the Office of Resilience & Community Services for an emergency assistance fund named "COVID-19 Relief Fund" to assist with community expenses.
That new fund will only be allowed to reimburse expenses from nonprofits who currently get external funding from Metro Government or from current Metro-administered programs that provide food and housing assistance.
A three-person panel, made up of the mayor, the Metro Council president and a representative of Metro United Way will meet weekly to determine which requests for funding reimbursement are granted and to attempt to distribute the funds "equitably" across the county, the legislation states.
Nonprofits that request funding for emergency housing costs must "show evidence of loss directly associated with the COVID-19 epidemic and of individual need."
The money may not be used for administrative costs of programs.
[This story is being provided for free to our readers during the coronavirus outbreak. Consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to The Courier Journal at courier-journal.com/specialoffer. ]
As of Thursday night, Kentucky has 47 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 17 of those in Jefferson County. Those figures, however, likely only represent a portion of actual cases, given the state's limited testing capabilities.
Councilman Brent Ackerson, D-26th District, voted "present," not yes or no, after voicing concerns about spending this $2.7 million when it's not clear how the coronavirus pandemic will impact Metro government's budget.
That money, he argued, would make a "big difference" should the city's budget take a significant hit from coronavirus.
"I want you all to understand that in June, we will be cutting things to the bone," he warned. "... Spending money today is not cautious, knowing the troubles that will come."
The two no votes — Councilwomen Jessica Green, D-1st, and Keisha Dorsey, D-3rd — changed their votes from yes to no after an amendment from Councilman Kevin Kramer, R-11th, mandated funds go to existing Metro programs, not new ones. Green said flexibility in response was important.
Coronavirus tracker: How many coronavirus cases are in Kentucky? Where are they?
The legislation overall was praised by many Metro Council members who called the COVID-19 pandemic "unprecedented" and sought to send aid to hurting people in the community, who may have lost jobs or business.
"It's $2.7 million. It probably won't go very far, but for the person that's out there right now, that really needs help trying to understand how they're going to buy food for their children, it's very important," said Metro Council President David James.
Darcy Costello: 502-582-4834; dcostello@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @dctello. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: https://ift.tt/2BY3VIE.
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