Commissioners start process of receiving next round of coronavirus relief totaling $1.7 million
The lakes are rising, closing roads again The Ozark County Commissioners say both Bull Shoals and Norfork Lakes are high again this spring, causing area road closures on both sides of the county. At their Monday meeting, the commissioners said that on the eastern side of Ozark County, signs are up at County Road 551 in Tecumseh, known locally as Smokey Road, pictured here, warning motorists that the road is impassable due to the backed-up waters of Norfork Lake. On the western side of the district, Haskins Ford on County Road 863, and the “Steel Tracks” crossing on County Road 861 in the Isabella area, along with the Gulley Spring Creek crossing on County Road 614 in the Pontiac area are all impassible due of the high level of Bull Shoals Lake. As of 9 a.m. Monday, Norfork Lake was 15 feet above flood pool with a water level of 567.05 feet, and Bull Shoals Lake was 20 feet above flood pool with a water level of 679.39 feet. The commissioners said they think the levels are only going to get higher, as rain is forecasted for most of the week.
The Ozark County Commissioners say they’ve begun the process of setting up the online government portal account for the money the county will receive as part of the American Rescue Plan Act, but they aren’t in a hurry to designate the funds yet.
“Christy and I were working on that Friday,” Presiding Commissioner John Turner said during their Monday meeting, referring to Ozark County Treasurer Christy Thompson. “They aren’t going to just send a check like they did last time. You have to go in and access everything through the portal this time. So it’s a little different. But as far as designating money for anything, we have not designated a dollar of the money for anything yet. We’re going to be a little more deliberate this time around. I think all counties will be.”
Turner said they haven’t received clear official guidance on how the money can be spent. He expected guidelines would likely be issued in the next few months, and he said the commission will discuss the funds during a future meeting when they’re ready.
According to the National Association of Counties, Ozark County is set to receive $1,781,942 from the newest round of relief. The federal funds are part of the State and Local Coronavirus Fiscal Recovery Funds legislation, part of the American Recovery Act that was signed into law on March 11.
The funds will be dispersed in two separate payments, Turner said, one this year and one next year. The county has until 2023 to spend the money.
City municipalities are also set to receive money under the bill.
Gainesville city is expected to receive $133,167.69, Bakersfield village is expected to receive $41,810.60, and the Village of Theodosia is scheduled to receive $49,178.10.
Ozark County received and disbursed approximately $1.1 million last year as part of the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Stability (CARES) Act. That bill was passed into law in March 2020.