CRF Support for Cities & Counties

In an effort to streamline the State’s process of reimbursing cities and counties for COVID-19 related expenses from the CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF), CARES FORWARD announced on Aug. 8 a new allocation model for local governments.

As part of this new allocation model, Governor Kevin Stitt is designating approximately $250 million from CRF to distribute to cities and counties based on a formula of $77 per capita. The State’s model is fashioned after a similar method executed on by the State of Texas, which distributed its CRF funds at $55 per capita. CARES FORWARD calculated city and county populations using the latest 2019 Census estimates, and county populations solely reflect unincorporated areas. We excluded Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County and Tulsa County since Congress provided funds directly to these entities.

To learn your city or county’s eligible CRF amount, please click here.

The CRF allocation model for cities and counties will be in effect until Nov. 6. In order for a city or county to receive its allocated CRF amount, the following steps must be taken:

• A local government must register for an account with the State’s online platform for filing CRF reimbursement requests.
  
• Cities and counties must complete the State’s risk assessment survey by Sept. 15, 2020, and before approved CRF funds can be delivered.
• U.S. Treasury guidelines for reimbursable CRF expenses still apply which are available by clicking here. Using your State log in credentials, please submit appropriate documentation as it becomes available for reimbursement. The State will process reimbursements on a first in, first out basis. Items eligible for reimbursement include:
  • Sick leave for employees who were required to self-quarantine due to exposure to COVID-19 or symptoms
  • Personal protective equipment, to include face masks and hand sanitizer
  • Additional cleaning services/supplies that were not already planned for in the current budget
  • Refunds for rental of city/county-owned places due to closure mandated by Executive Order or Health Department
  • Payroll costs for public health or public safety employees for time worked on COVID-related activities
  • Payroll costs for other employees for time worked on COVID-related activities, as long as 50% or more of their time for a given pay period was spent on COVID-related activities

If you are a city or county government with questions regarding CARES CRF, questions please contact CRFhelp@omes.ok.gov.