Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Local Cities Now Getting Share of COVID Relief Funds. How Will They Spend It?
David Website Replacement
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 5 years ago on
September 25, 2020

Share

Fresno County is sharing the wealth of its federal stimulus CARES Act dollars with the 14 other incorporated cities in the county.

The city of Fresno directly received $92 million in federal relief money. The Board of Supervisors decided that the other cities needed their own funds, too. This week, they voted to share $3 million of the county’s $98 million in federal and state COVID-related dollars to be distributed to the cities based on their populations and COVID-19 challenges.

“The needs varied throughout the community. And yet at the same time, there were some consistent needs, too,” Supervisor Steve Brandau said at a Thursday news conference at the plaza of the Fresno County office building.

The county won’t attach any strings to the money, allowing for what Supervisor Brian Pacheco called “local control.” There still are spending rules in place from the federal government and must be spent by the end of the year.

The county pass through is on top of what some cities already received from the state’s CARES Act allocation. The supervisors were concerned that the smaller cities were being left out, so they unanimously passed the aid package at its Tuesday meeting.

During the news conference, a representative from each city made brief comments on what the money means for their community.

Several mayors said they plan to spend on things like personal protective equipment or small business relief.

Clovis will receive the largest allocation at $612,222. A full list can be found here.

Mendota: Working on a Merry Christmas

“Hopefully all these kids can also have a Christmas like everybody else.”Mendota Mayor Rolando Castro

Mendota Mayor Rolando Castro says the money will go to social services to help his city’s residents, many of whom work the fields. Things typically slow down in the winter months, Castro said.

And, this year has been tougher than most because of the pandemic.

“Our incomes will be half of years before because a lot of the moms are staying home with the kids because they’ve got to be there to support with virtual school,” Castro said. “Hopefully all these kids can also have a Christmas like everybody else.”

Coalinga: An Attempt to Be an Essential City

Coalinga councilman Ron Ramsey

Coalinga declared itself an essential city, allowing any business to stay open.

“Most businesses are homegrown. If people don’t open, can’t open their business, they can’t pay their bills. And when they can’t pay their bills, they close. That takes your tax money away from you. Coalinga doesn’t have a lot of tax money already. So we’re trying to make everybody is essential,” Coalinga councilman Ron Ramsey said.

That didn’t stop the state from closing down gyms, barbershops and indoor dining anyway.

“You can go into a Wal-Mart and and do business there, but you can’t go into another store and do business there. What’s the difference?” Ramsey asked. “ It’s just gotten too easy for the state people to tell you what to do. And this isn’t what the nation was built on. It was on the people. This is what people want.”

Mendes Criticizes City

Board of Supervisors chairman Buddy Mendes took a verbal jab at the city of Fresno when it came to spending stimulus funds.

“I’m going to throw them under the bus and run over a couple times here — they (the city of Fresno) actually didn’t spend $36 million of their money. Didn’t spend it and have no plan to spend it. And they’re just sitting on it,” Mendes said.

[activecampaign form=27]

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Visalia Police Investigate Assault at Local Bar

DON'T MISS

What Are the Nuclear Contamination Risks From Israel’s Attacks on Iran?

DON'T MISS

US Supreme Court Lets Fuel Producers Challenge California Emissions Standards

DON'T MISS

US Court Lets Trump Keep Control of California National Guard for Now

DON'T MISS

California Politicians Agree on School Money, but Poor Test Scores Need Attention

DON'T MISS

Muslim NY Mayoral Candidate Reports Threats, Jewish Ohio Lawmaker Threatened Separately

DON'T MISS

It’s Final. No Live Horse Racing at Big Fresno Fair in 2025

DON'T MISS

Clover Is Eager to Bring You Good Luck and Great Joy

DON'T MISS

Fresno Police Seek Help Identifying 7-Eleven Robbery Suspects

DON'T MISS

Fresno Council Scraps Cannabis Advisory Group, Extends Advance Peace Funding

UP NEXT

What Are the Nuclear Contamination Risks From Israel’s Attacks on Iran?

UP NEXT

US Supreme Court Lets Fuel Producers Challenge California Emissions Standards

UP NEXT

US Court Lets Trump Keep Control of California National Guard for Now

UP NEXT

It’s Final. No Live Horse Racing at Big Fresno Fair in 2025

UP NEXT

Clover Is Eager to Bring You Good Luck and Great Joy

UP NEXT

Fresno Police Seek Help Identifying 7-Eleven Robbery Suspects

UP NEXT

Fresno Council Scraps Cannabis Advisory Group, Extends Advance Peace Funding

UP NEXT

Massive Security Breach: 16 Billion Passwords Leaked From Apple, Google, Facebook Accounts

UP NEXT

Hunger Strike Begins as California Prisons Hand Down Biggest Restrictions Since COVID

UP NEXT

CA Prison Union Strikes $600 Million Contract With Newsom That Includes Furloughs

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

US Supreme Court Upholds Law on Suing Palestinian Authorities Over Attacks

36 minutes ago

Pro-Palestinian Activists Damage Planes at UK Military Base

42 minutes ago

Israeli Scientists Scramble to Save Work After Iranian Missile Hits Labs

46 minutes ago

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Versall Johnson Henderson

49 minutes ago

Suspected DUI Driver Crashes Into Yard Then Falls Asleep on Patrol Car

58 minutes ago

Visalia Police Investigate Assault at Local Bar

1 hour ago

What Are the Nuclear Contamination Risks From Israel’s Attacks on Iran?

1 hour ago

US Supreme Court Lets Fuel Producers Challenge California Emissions Standards

1 hour ago

US Court Lets Trump Keep Control of California National Guard for Now

1 hour ago

California Politicians Agree on School Money, but Poor Test Scores Need Attention

4 hours ago

Visalia Stabbing Sends Man to Hospital, Police Investigating

Authorities are investigating a stabbing that left a man seriously injured early Friday in downtown Visalia, the Visalia Police Department s...

6 minutes ago

6 minutes ago

Visalia Stabbing Sends Man to Hospital, Police Investigating

6 minutes ago

Wall Street Perks Up, Oil Dips After Trump’s Middle East Delay

24 minutes ago

Police, DA Refuse to Release Records on Latina Senator’s DUI Arrest Near Capitol

36 minutes ago

US Supreme Court Upholds Law on Suing Palestinian Authorities Over Attacks

42 minutes ago

Pro-Palestinian Activists Damage Planes at UK Military Base

46 minutes ago

Israeli Scientists Scramble to Save Work After Iranian Missile Hits Labs

Versall Johnson Henderson is Valley Crime Stoppers' Most Wanted Person of the Day for June 20, 2025. (Valley Crimes Stoppers)
49 minutes ago

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Versall Johnson Henderson

A suspected DUI driver crashed through a backyard wall and stopped near a children’s play structure before falling asleep on a patrol car. (CHP)
58 minutes ago

Suspected DUI Driver Crashes Into Yard Then Falls Asleep on Patrol Car

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend