Edinburg City Council approves CARES Act budget amendment

Fernanda Figueroa| THE RIDER

The Edinburg City Council has unanimously approved a resolution amending the CARES Act budget of $13,354,440 by adjusting categorical spending. 

Under the resolution, the city council will also release $13,354,440 from the General Fund’s Committed Fund Balance of Operating Contingencies, which will then be reimbursed by Hidalgo County through the CARES Act for eligible expenses.

The following are the amended categorical amounts: 

–Category 1-Medical Expenses: $2,325 

–Category 2-Health Expenses: $8,368,459.16

–Category 3-Payroll Expenses: $65,427

–Category 4-Actions to Facility Compliance Expenses: $2,438,893.32

–Category 5-Provisions to Economic Support Expenses: $1,120,000 and 

–Category 6-COVID-19 Related Expenses: $1,359,335.52

“This resolution officially adopts those categories so we can submit those categories for reimbursement,” City Manager Ron Garza said during Tuesday’s meeting.

According to the city’s agenda packet, the amendment is being made to provide City of Edinburg residents and employees the resources to manage the consequences and impact related to the coronavirus.

The in-person meeting was the first the council conducted at city hall since Aug. 18.

With social distancing in place, everyone wearing masks and the meeting broadcast to the public, as well, city meetings in city hall will most likely continue. 

“We are going to give this a try by doing this in person again,” Mayor Richard Molina said. “This is something we can continue, hopefully, on our regularly scheduled meetings, but if [COVID-19] numbers continue to spike, then myself and the council will get together and we might go back to Zoom.”