Richland County Council has dedicated $1.5 million to assist first responders, other public safety personnel and the community’s most vulnerable residents during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Council has also taken additional measures to aid residents and business owners facing financial difficulties stemming from the public health crisis.
County Council Chair Paul Livingston issued a statement on Council’s actions:
“The County has taken important steps to combat the spread of COVID-19 and to help our community recover. Richland County has seen its share of adversity in the past several years. This year will mark the five-year commemoration of the 2015 flood, which devastated so much of our community.
“Our response to that emergency showed we are resilient. We want to assure residents and business owners that just as Richland County Government responded then, we are responding now.
“We also are thankful for the assistance being provided at the federal level, state level and from private entities that will help in this recovery. Working together, my Council colleagues and I remain hopeful and encouraged that we will withstand the challenges posed by this current crisis.”
Over the past two weeks, Council approved the following:
- $500,000 for personal protective equipment for the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, the Richland County Emergency Services Department, Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center and other essential departments
- $500,000 to entities providing food to seniors and low-to-moderate income individuals
- $500,000 to begin a rapid response and emergency relief program for small businesses
Council also waived fees for late payment of business licenses, hospitality and local accommodations taxes for 60 days.
Funding for the first phase of the COVID-19 response comes from the County’s assigned fund balance, composed of residual funds approved for disaster recovery in response to the 2015 flood. Other funding comes from the committed fund balance, which is set aside for disaster recovery.