$6 Million in Federal Cares Act Money must be spent by December

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Leftover Federal Cares Act Money distributed to the city of Jacksonville must be spent in 30 days.

The government distributed money nationwide to provide relief amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Jacksonville’s remaining balance is 6 million dollars. If that money is not spent it will be lost.

In April, Mayor Lenny Curry signed legislation allocating close to $167 million dollars in Cares Act funds.

The city has spent $161 million so far.

$40 million went to people needing help with mortgage and utility bills.

$5 million to eviction and foreclosure relief.

$35 million went to city-run testing and testing sites, to name just some of what the money was allocated to.

Action News Jax spoke to Tony Vecchio, the Executive Director of Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens.

The zoo closed during the pandemic, but animals still needed to be fed and employees paid.

Initially, a little more than $4 million dollars in Cares Act money went to the zoo.

“We are still pinching pennies. We are still in a budget, but that helped keep things somewhat close to normal,” Vecchio said.

The zoo did not have to lay off any of their 300 employees but could not schedule their hourly employees.

Breakdown of the remaining $6 million in Cares Act money and where it would go:

The zoo is expected to receive an additional $1 million dollars.

The fair would receive $500,000.

$1.5 million would be allocated to the bar association for eviction and foreclosure prevention.

$500,000 goes to nonprofits and for profits needing funds.

$1.7 million to small business relief cards and $750,000 for workers comp losses due to COVID related bills.

Vecchio said money has been tight and this additional money will help since business is still slow at times. Business was down by more than 50%.

On Wednesday legislation with the remaining balance will be filed and decisions will be made on where that money will be allocated so it is spent by December 30th.

Cox Media Group