CARES Act Allocates Over $6M In Disaster Relief For COVID-19 To San Marcos

Last week, it was announced that the City of San Marcos will receive $6,429,168 in disaster relief funds for public transit expenses from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and $425,281 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

These federal disaster relief funds are allocated through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the $2 trillion coronavirus relief package signed by President Donald J. Trump on March 27, 2020.

“Staff will be working diligently to designate this funding to the appropriate service areas. Our intention is to ensure it will help residents impacted by the crisis to continue to access critical services in our community,” said City Manager Bert Lumbreras.

The FTA funding will be available to support capital, operating, and other expenses generally eligible under those programs to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19 occurring on or after January 20, 2020.

HUD has still not released the process for executing their funds but plans to do so soon.

“We are excited and encouraged by this allocation of transit and CDBG funding through the CARES Act,” said Mayor Jane Hughson. “The efforts of our Texas Congressional delegation, particularly Congressman Lloyd Doggett, to keep San Marcos at the forefront of funding opportunities is greatly appreciated and vital to our community.”

The details of the timing and distribution of the funds are forthcoming and will be shared as it is available.