In its June 9 meeting, Bethel City Council will be preparing to spend $8.4 million in federal CARES Act funding, looking at ways to conduct an election during the COVID-19 pandemic, and considering action on next year’s budget.
The council will have to formally accept CARES Act funding in order for the city to receive the money. City Manager Vincenzo "Vinny" Corazza is proposing a partnership with Bethel Community Services Foundation to plan and execute how the $8.4 million gets spent. The money can only be used for COVID-19-related expenditures.
If there were to be an outbreak of the disease in October, the City of Bethel may want to conduct its election by mail. The city council will consider an ordinance that would allow for that possibility. It would have to pass another ordinance to actually do it. Mayor Perry Barr also wants to consider other voting options. Tonight, Barr is introducing an ordinance to have an early in-person voting option before Election Day in order to reduce the number of people congregating to vote.
The city’s budget for the next fiscal year is also on the agenda. The deadline to pass that budget is June 15.
Tune in to Bethel City Council’s regular meeting, broadcast live on KYUK at 6:30 p.m.
