Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Polk approves additional CARES Grant funding

COLUMBUS—Polk County is now receiving almost $1 million for COVID-19 expenses with the first round being $587,186 and the second round being $402,210 for a total of $989,396.

Of the total, 25 percent is going to the county’s 3 towns of Columbus, Saluda and Tryon based on population.

County commissioners met last week and discussed the additional funding, officially accepted the funds and approved inter local agreements with each of the towns.

The towns will now be receiving $247,349 of the county’s total funding, which has to be strictly used for COVID-19 expenses. Saluda officials said last week the city will spend its portion for expenses incurred by the police department.

Tryon will receive the most at $125,780, according to county records. The funding is based on population, with Tryon having a population of 1,792 people, Columbus having a population of 1,004 people and Saluda having a population of 728 people, according to Polk County’s records. Columbus will receive $70,470 of the funding and Saluda will receive $51,098 of the funding.

Polk County is spending $45,900 on medical expenses; $188,989 on public health expenses; $71,500 on payroll expenses for public safety, public health, health care, human services and similar employees; $134,000 on actions to facilitate compliance with COVID-19 related public health measures and the remaining will be placed in the “other” category.