City poised to OK CARES grant program

Wapakoneta City councilors will be asked to adopt a resolution Monday to allow the city to distribute its CARES ACT funding through a newly-created grant program.

The application for funds will reflect recent changes in the restrictions for that money, explained Floyd Gregg, Wapakoneta’s safety service director.

“The $10,000 (per business) cap has been eliminated, ”gregg said, “and now non-profits can also apply.”

Gregg said while he is researching the definition of “non-profit,” to determine if it includes those classified as a 501(C)6 organization, the resolution lists 501(C)3 organizations specifically to move the resolution forward.

The application will not limit the ask for funding; neither does the grant program limit how much is available for this program. Gregg said that is on purpose.

“We didn’t put an amount on it because we have so much to give away,” he said. “When the money runs out the program is done.”

The city has more than $350,000 in CARES dollar; Gregg said they will spend some of that in-house to use for PPE needs. The city will also purchase a UV disinfectant machine, which he said will blast UV light into the squad vehicles.

Sept. 30 remains the deadline for distribution of the funds; while Gregg is hopeful the legislature may extend that through the end of the year, he is prepared to distribute the dollars on the fast track.

If the resolution is adopted by council Monday during the regular meeting, the application for funds will be available Tuesday. The deadline is Sept. 28; the city’s finance committee will meet Sept. 29 to decide who gets what so the funds can be disseminated before the distribution deadline.

“It’s a fast-paced approval process,” Gregg said, “but I’d rather rush and get as much (of the funds) out there and not have to give it back. I hope we can give it all away.”

Council meets virtually Monday at 7:30 p.m. The meeting can be seen via Facebook at that time.