Westmoreland to get millions through the CARES Act, but it won't be enough

Westmoreland County expects to receive $31.5 million in federal funding for coronavirus relief efforts, but local officials said the cash won’t help ease a budget crunch exasperated by costs associated with the pandemic.

The grant money is part of a $625 million allocation through the state from money received via the federal CARES Act, which awarded relief funds to local governments with populations below 500,000.

“We cannot use it towards our expenditures,” Commissioner Sean Kertes said.

Commissioners will oversee disbursement of those funds, expected to arrive by mid-July. The money is designated for local governments, towns, cities and boroughs to cover costs associated with the coronavirus responses, grant programs to support economic development organizations, behavioral health and substance abuse treatment services, small business relief programs and nonprofit organizations. Local officials said they are waiting for the state to issue specific guidelines about how the money will be doled out.

The governor’s office announced late last week that 60 counties will receive grants for pandemic relief efforts based on population.

Washington County is to receive $18.7 million; Butler $16.9 million; Beaver $14.8 million; Fayette $11.6 million and Indiana $17.6 million.

Larger counties such as Allegheny received direct funding from the federal government’s stimulus program.

The money will not cover the counties’ coronavirus-related expenses.

“We do not anticipate this having an impact on the county’s bottom line since the funds are intended for use of coronavirus impact relief for the community,” said Meghan McCandless, county finance director.

Westmoreland officials still are assessing the county’s expenses related to the pandemic.

McCandless said about $250,000 went toward the purchase of supplies such as disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer and personal protection equipment and the costs to institute temperature checks for anyone entering the courthouse and other county buildings.

The county also paid out about $700,000 in overtime to workers in the early days of the pandemic, although much of that money has since been offset by the furlough of nearly 500 employees, officials said.

McCandless said estimates suggest the county lost an additional $1.3 million in fees it would have received from other county services.

The extra expenses and lost revenue are adding up as the county continues to struggle to keep its finances in the black. The $341 million budget includes virtually no safety net as it nearly exhausts a surplus account used to balance spending.

Commissioner Doug Chew said he’s hopeful some of the relief funds can be used to offset costs attributed to the pandemic. He said a meeting will be held with state lawmakers this week to address the county’s funding issues.

“I was a little taken aback when I saw the restrictions. I’m not sure how to interpret it. If that’s all we are able to do is pass it through, then why doesn’t the state just pass it through?” Chew said.

Kertes said the county should have enough cash on hand to pay its bills through the end of the year, but the county is lobbying for additional relief funds.

“We’ve been told we’ll get money, but I have no idea how it will be disbursed,” Kertes said. “We are not going to be in the best financial shape, and we need their help.”