More than 1,000 COVID-19 tests have been administered and costs related to the pandemic total $1.5 million, so far, Brownsville city commissioners were told Tuesday night during a special teleconference meeting.
The COVID-19 drive-thru testing site has administered 1,020 tests as of Monday.
So far, 2,318 questionnaires have been reviewed and did not meet criteria.
“A test is a picture in time,” said Arturo Rodriguez, director of Public Health. “So, if someone potentially may have submitted a request 10 days ago and maybe not even 10 days ago, three days ago, and three days later they have symptoms, they can go back and restart the process and apply again. … Once you’re turned down it doesn’t mean you won’t possibly meet the criteria next time you go through the portal.”
Sixty-one results have come back positive and 900 negative. Fifty-nine tests are still pending results.
Finance Director Lupe Granado provided an expenditure summary to the city commission.
The current total expenditure is $1,599,247 with a Fiscal Year 2020 budget impact of $1,478,137 and an emergency procurement total of $121,110.
According to the presentation, the FEMA eligible reimbursement of 75% is estimated to be $1,199,935.
The breakdown of the budget impact includes:
–$1,364,371 for personnel;
–$60,262 for supplies;
–$1,253 for lease costs;
–$29,029 for contract costs;
–$7,694 for other miscellaneous costs; and
–$15,528 for the use of equipment.
Within the $1,364,371 for personnel, $894,430 are for the Police Department and $280,807 for the Fire Department.
The Police Department has a base pay total of $596,585 and a hazard duty pay total of $297,845. The Fire Department has a base pay total of $187,298 and a hazard duty pay total of $93,509.
Other personnel breakdowns include $33,396 for Engineering and Public Works; $26,983 for Enterprise Applications; $16,869 for Parks and Recreation; $21,819 for legal; $25,686 for the Health Department; and $64,381 for other departments.
In emergency procurement, $59,500 was procured and spent for Personal Protective Equipment masks. The drive-thru collections and testing site had an operating cost of $18,600 and testing kits had a total cost of $43,010.
The commission also authorized the city manager to modify and update the Voluntary Sick Leave Pool and Bank Policy, and the Negative Sick Leave Bank Policy pursuant to the creation of the policies by the city commission.
The directives were created to “adjust and provide sick leave for employees who may not otherwise qualify for necessary leave,” according to agenda binder documents.
It serves and provides extended sick leave for employees directly affected by COVID-19.
