Devote covid-related funding to help people

The people of our community are hurting. I have, as a public school teacher, been on the front lines of this pandemic since it began. I have seen firsthand the devastating effects of covid-19 on children and families, many of whom were already in crisis before covid-19. Low-income families have felt the brunt of the economic downturn, with many suddenly underemployed or unemployed and facing eviction, food insecurity and a fragile support system.

Washington County received $4.5 million in covid-19 relief funds from the federal government in November 2020. This money was intended to directly support individual incomes, employment and businesses. It was never intended to fund underfunded or unfunded budget items. The money was not meant to be held for a rainy day, and if it were, this is the rainy day. The agreement signed by the county and the state Department of Finance & Administration, Article III B, lists “Funds not being expended in a reasonably timely manner …” as a reason for potential termination of the agreement.

Sadly, that money is still sitting in a bank account as the Quorum Court decides what to do with it. As a justice of the peace, I believe this money should be spent to help the people in our community who elected us and expect us to act on their behalf.

Currently, there is an ordinance in front of the Quorum Court to get this money to the people who need it the most. This ordinance allows the money to be spent in the community in three specific areas: Aid to small businesses, food insecurity, and rental and mortgage relief.

Our small businesses are hurting.

Many were mandated to close for long periods of time, or were only allowed to open at partial capacity or with limited hours.

They have had to enforce mask mandates and implement costly sanitation measures to protect their employees and patrons.

These mandates impacted not just the business owners, but also the employees and their families due to reduced hours. There were programs to assist small businesses, but many were denied access to these funds.

Supporting our small businesses should be more than a statement we make; it should be an action we take.

Washington County is among the highest counties in the nation when it comes to food insecurity. In Northwest Arkansas, over 65,000 men, women, children and senior citizens face food insecurity. Many who have found themselves unemployed or underemployed — through no fault of their own — are hungry; their children are hungry. While local organizations, school districts and individuals have worked tirelessly through the pandemic to try to meet these needs, it just isn’t enough. The proposed ordinance gives us resources to provide the most basic need for their children: a hot meal.

Our neighbors are being evicted. Many find themselves homeless.

We can provide people with rental and mortgage assistance. If you have spent any time on the trail system in south Fayetteville, you have noticed the increase of homeless camps. Those who are still in their homes are being overwhelmed with late fees. People are finding themselves in impossible situations. I know students who have lost their homes or have had to take on full-time work to help their families stay in their homes, and their school work has suffered or they have dropped out entirely.

Landlords would benefit from this as well. Washington County is in a good place financially. Our current General Fund balance is $11.6 million and that does not include the $4.5 million in the General Reserve Fund. It is true that we don’t know what is ahead. No one does. But our tax base and sales tax revenues have increased, and we are sound financially now, when many of our neighbors are not.

It has always been the role of the government to help its citizens accomplish what individuals cannot, such as roads and schools.

As elected officials on the Quorum Court, we have the power and opportunity to help our neighbors at a time when the need is so great. We have a moral obligation to do that. If we do not, it will be the poor and unheard, those who never have a seat at the table, who will pay the price, as they always do.

We must focus less on the politics and more on the people of Washington County.