$13.2M in aid on way to cities, townships
Federal COVID-19 relief money can’t be used for revenue replacement.
More than $13 million will be distributed to Montgomery County cities and townships that missed out on an initial round of direct federal COVID-19 relief funding.
The county auditor’s office received the allocation Tuesday, and on Friday started distributing the aid to 31 jurisdictions — including $8.2 million to the city of Dayton, said Montgomery County Auditor Karl Keith.
But current federal rules prevent the money from being directly used to plug the biggest gap left by the pandemic — the blow to income tax revenue and other sources caused by business shutdowns. Local leaders say shortfalls ranging from 10% to 20% have resulted in canceled projects, hiring freezes, staff furloughs and other budget cuts.
“It can’t be used for revenue replacement, so it’s not like money that will cover our losses,” said Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley. “But it will allow us to do more work in the community for folks who have been affected by COVID.”
A bill signed last week by Gov. Mike DeWine directed $350 million of Ohio’s portion of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds to local governments that were not included in the U.S. Treasury Department’s first allocation that went only to state and county governments with populations above 500,000.
Dayton, the county’s largest municipality, will receive 62.2% of the local relief funds, or $8.2 million of the total $13.2 million. Kettering, Huber Heights, Riverside, Trotwood and Centerville will get the next largest portions of the funds: ■ Kettering: $783,000 ■ Huber Heights: $529,000 ■ Riverside: $359,000 ■ Trotwood: $349.000 ■ Centerville: $340.000
Dayton
Kettering
Huber Heights
Riverside
Trotwood
Centerville
Washington Twp.
Miamisburg
Miami Twp.
Vandalia
Harrison Twp.
Englewood
Clayton
West Carrollton
Oakwood
Union
Moraine
Brookville