Coronavirus: Information for Georgia County Officials

ACCG is closely monitoring the spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019, commonly called Coronavirus – or COVID-19, by staying in touch with our federal and state government partners.  ACCG will share any important information received with county officials by email and also post it here as a quick reference so that you can make informed decisions for your community. 

 

At the national level, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is the best source for information.   At the state level, Governor Kemp has appointed the Georgia Coronavirus Task Force, led by the Georgia Department of Public Health, to direct information distribution and response. 

 

The first two known cases of COVID-19 in Georgia were announced by Governor Brian Kemp in a press conference held on March 2, 2020.

 

Below you will find several links to resources that provide more information about COVID-19.

 

State of Georgia Executive Orders

See below for the most current Executive Order issued by Gov. Brian Kemp along with the summary of county implications provided by the ACCG legal department. 

Empowering a Healthy Georgia - March 31, 2021 

ACCG Summary of County Implications

 

Governor's Press Releases

Click here to access press releases issued by Gov. Kemp. 

 

Governor Brian Kemp Signs COVID-19 Liability Legislation (SB 359)

 

Governor Brian Kemp signed SB 359, legislation addressing COVID-19 liability. One of the provisions of the bill is a rebuttable presumption for assumption of the risk by the claimant if an entity posts specific signage at their point of entry.  ACCG encourages you to consult with your county attorney regarding the placement of signage in county facilities.  For sample signage with the required language in one-inch Arial font (per the specifications of the legislation), click here. Note that this sample sign must be printed as an 18” x 24” in order to achieve the one-inch requirement as indicated in the legislation.


State and Local Coronavirus Fiscal Recovery Fund - the American Rescue Plan Act

Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act which includes $65.1 billion in direct, flexible aid to counties from the U.S. Treasury to assist with COVID-19 recovery efforts. ACCG will work diligently to support Georgia’s counties and will share U.S. Treasury guidance on eligible expenditures as soon as it becomes available. In addition to monitoring for updates from ACCG and the U.S. Treasury, counties are highly encouraged to visit the National Association of Counties’ (NACo) COVID-19 Recovery Clearinghouse for information and resources.

During a national membership call on March 11, NACo provided a summary of the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund and reviewed additional federal assistance for public lands counties. Click here to watch the replay.  

Interim Final Rule for Fund Guidance

The U.S. Treasury Department released the Interim Final Rule and accompanying guidance for the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 on May 10, 2021. Treasury concurrently opened a portal to facilitate swift and secure payments to over 5,000 direct payees across the country. 

See below for information on where to find the guidance on the American Rescue Plan State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund.

 

Resources from the ACCG/OPB Webinar on Grants Available through State Fiscal Recovery Fund - August 6, 2021

Below you will find the recording, presentation and links to other important information from the August 2, 2021, ACCG webinar with the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget (OPB) regarding the State Fiscal Recovery Fund grant program.

ACCG / OPB Webinar Recording (August 6, 2021)

ACCG /OPB Webinar Presentation (August 6, 2021)

State Fiscal Recovery Fund Application Information

State Fiscal Recovery Fund Grant Portal

During the webinar, OPB referenced the meeting that was held with the Georgia Jobs and Infrastructure Committee.  These are the individuals who will be reviewing the grant applications.  While much of the information is the same as what was presented this morning, it does go into more detail.  Here are the links from that meeting:

Georgia Jobs and Infrastructure Committee Meeting Recording (July 15, 2021)

Georgia Jobs and Infrastructure Committee Presentation (July 15, 2021)

If you have questions about these grants, please contact OPB at [email protected] or 404-656-3820.

 

ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND:

The State of Georgia has received direct funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).  This funding is separate from the funding that counties and cities have received. 

The total American Rescue Plan allocation for the State of Georgia is $4.8 billion.  The state has received $2.4 billion in its first tranche of funding. 

 

Governor Brian Kemp established the State Jobs and Infrastructure Committees to oversee $875 million of these funds that are being made available through grants for projects related to:  1) broadband infrastructure ($300 million); 2) water/sewer infrastructure ($250 million); and 3) addressing negative economic impacts caused by COVID-19 ($325 million).  State government entities, units of local government, industries and nonprofits are eligible to apply. 

 

Counties may use the ARPA funding that they received directly from the U.S. Treasury as a match for these state ARPA fund grants to expand or extend projects that you have identified for broadband infrastructure, water/sewer infrastructure or other projects to address negative economic impacts OR apply for grants for new projects that meet the eligible criteria.  At the current time, these state grant funds may not be used to support public health expenditures, to replace lost public sector revenue or to provide premium pay.

 

While the grant application has not yet opened (it is expected to be available this week), grant applications are due by August 31.  Information on the program will be available here:  State Fiscal Recovery Fund Application Information.

 

ACCG Webinar on the American Rescue Plan Act - May 24, 2021

ACCG hosted a webinar on May 24, 2021, to review the Interim Final Rule and guidance on the American Rescue Plan Act. Resources from the webinar are included below:

Click here to access the recorded webinar.

Click here to access the PowerPoint Presentation. 

 

State and Federal Partners in the Fight Against COVID-19

 

Georgia Department of Publich Health

The State of Georgia has a COVID-19 hotline (844) 442-2681. If you believe that you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed to the novel coronavirus, please contact your primary care doctor or an urgent care clinic. Please do not show up unannounced at an emergency room or health care facility.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

 

Georgia Emergency Management/Homeland Security Agency

 

National Association of Counties 

To assist counties with response and recovery regarding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the National Association of Counties (NACo) has launched the NACo COVID-19 Recovery Clearinghouse, which features timely resources for counties, including allocation estimations, examples of county programs using federal coronavirus relief funds, the latest news and more.

 

ACCG Resources for County Officials

 

 


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