By Julian Johnson
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball is seeking public input on how to spend federal money the county received to help those hurt by the coronavirus pandemic.
In addition to a virtual public hearing he held on Wednesday, Ball is asking county citizens to provide feedback on how the money should be spent through an online community survey.
The county has received $63.2 million through the American Rescue Plan (ARP) signed by President Biden last March. Of that amount, about half has been allocated with county council approval to be spent this year. The rest of the money will be used in the 2022 fiscal year.
The county has received $200 million worth of proposals from 200 individuals and organizations so far.
Of the $31.6 million in ARP funds allocated for the current fiscal year, Ball has dedicated $5 million for hazard pay for county employees, $1.6 million for body-worn cameras for police, and $2 million for foreclosure protection for those at risk of losing their homes.
Ball said the hazard pay will go to county employees who could not work their full-time jobs remotely during the pandemic.
The county also plans to purchase, 600 body-worn cameras for 300 HCPD police officers.
“Police accountability is a fundamental tenet of our agency and these new body cameras will contribute to that commitment,” Police Chief Lisa Myers said in a statement. “We look forward to continuing the outstanding relationships of trust and transparency our police department has long-established with the community.”
Kelly Cimino, the county’s director of housing, said the $2 million allocated to foreclosure protection will help those who are struggling financially because of the pandemic avoid being evicted from their homes for being behind on their mortgage.
“We encourage homeowners that have fallen behind on their mortgage payments to visit the housing department’s COVID 19 webpage and complete an application today,” Cimino said in a statement.
The ARP plan was passed by Congress and signed by President Biden on March 11 with the intent of responding to the impact of COVID-19. ARP funding will also be used for local residents and businesses.