Committee set to analyze distribution of CARES Act funding to rural Oregon

JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. — After contention from Oregon's rural counties over the state's distribution of the CARES act funding, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has conceded to establishing a committee that will review how funds can be used.

Rick Dyer, Jackson County Commissioner, who has been fighting to allow the federal funds to be used for economic relief to small businesses and residents locally, said on Wednesday night, he received a letter from Brown noting the establishment of the committee.

"What it's actually authorizing is a committee to look at the CARES Act funding and how it's being distributed to these various smaller cities and counties throughout the state," Dyer said. "The big sticking point that we had after the last announcement was that the funds were not going to be allowed to be used for business relief and economic recovery and we had an issue with that, obviously that's a great need and something that can be pivotal as far as going forward in our valley," he said.

Dyer criticized the limitations on state distribution of federal funding saying that when the CARES Act was passed congress intended it to be used for economic relief.

Moving forward, Dyer said the committee made up of Senator Jeff Golden from Jackson County, Senator Bill Hansell from District 29, Mike Cully, Executive director of Leauge of Oregon Cities, Gina Nikkel, Executive Director of Association of Oregon Counties, Frank Stratton, Executive Director of Special Districts Association of Oregon,plus two congressional representatives to gather and discuss "how the distribution to the counties and cities can include those uses."

Dyer said this is a state-wide issue that affects not only Jackson County but the other 34 counties that were not included in the application for the funding.

"I can tell you, I know our need here and I know that there's just as much need throughout the state for these funds and especially for the purposes to again aid in some economic relief," Dyer said.

As of Thursday, Dyer said, Jackson County has not received any money and is in the process of applying for the reimbursement of expenses related to the pandemic.

He explained that $415 million would go to rural communities and would be split up into allotments of $200 million.

"The second tranche would help pay for ongoing health expenses, such as PPE, testing, contract tracing, and isolation and quarantine are very important as well, but that third leg of that stool is also extremely important to us and that's the ability to use that again, for business relief and economic recovery," he said.

Lily Morgan, Josephine County Commissioner, said Josephine County is also working on their reimbursement application.

"Our staff has gathered those numbers of what we're asking to be reimbursed for and we will be submitting that to the state," Morgan said.

According to Morgan, the county is looking to be reimbursed for $1.8 million in law enforcement payroll and the rest is related to medical supplies, payroll for dedicated COVID employees, and telework capabilities.

Dyer is calling on residents to also get involved in the process.

"I'm asking for people to get ahold of, specifically Senator Golden, he's one of the senators that will be on this committee and of course, he represents Jackson County to get ahold of him and let him know, Jackson County for one, is entitled to the same share of these funds as the larger counties in Portland, Multnomah, and Washington," Dyer said. "We need to be able to use these for our business and economic relief to be able to recover and get through this pandemic and come out stronger on the other side," he said.

The deadline for the application reimbursement was Thursday, May 28.