ABERDEEN, S.D. (By Elisa Sand esand@aberdeennews.com) – Brown County has $4.1 million from its 2020 budget that was freed up by federal funding reimbursements from the CARES Act.
The federal act provided COVID-19 relief to states, cities and counties. For cities and counties, funding went to reimburse salaries in certain departments that included law enforcement and public safety.
In a report to county commissioners Tuesday, Brown County Auditor Cathy McNickle said of that $4.1 million, some will stay in special revenue funds — for instance, the $753,000 that went toward salaries for 911 dispatchers.
In all, she said, about $3.3 million is going back into the general fund reserves.
Commissioners made no decisions on how to use the money. McNickle said some counties have approved a stipend for county employees as a thank you for their hard work.
At least one commissioner noted some funds could be earmarked for a special project, but no decision was made.