OKLAHOMA CITY (Aug. 6, 2020) – Governor Kevin Stitt announced today the State will be allocating approximately $250 million in CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF) to Oklahoma cities and counties based on their population. This change allows for city and county governments to access CRF dollars more quickly and with maximum efficiency.
“For the past two months, the State has closely followed guidance from the federal government in how to distribute critical Coronavirus Relief Funds to state agencies, cities and counties. After working with and observing the fiscal impact of COVID-19 on local governments, I directed our team to streamline its reimbursement process and to deliver more flexibility for getting these critical funds out the door,” said Gov. Stitt. “The new CRF allocation model will ensure city and county governments have equitable access and more foresight as they plan for the remainder 2020.”
The State’s new CRF allocation model designates a portion of the $250 million to each city and county based on a formula of $77 per capita. The model calculates city and county populations using the latest 2019 Census estimates, and county populations solely reflect unincorporated areas.
City and county governments have until Nov. 1, 2020 to apply for reimbursement of expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic. To learn the maximum amount a city or county is eligible for, please click here.
Under the CARES Act, federal funds were directly awarded to cities and counties with populations above 500,000. Tulsa (401,190) is the largest Oklahoma city or county without a direct allocation and will now receive more than $30 million from the State.
“I am so grateful to Governor Stitt and our partners at the State for ensuring local communities have the resources they need to meet the challenges of this pandemic,” said Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum. “Now more than ever, we must be innovative and work together to meet the immediate needs of our residents and to plan for our community’s recovery. I look forward to partnering with the State to ensure these funds are deployed quickly in support of our residents, our schools, and the continued safe reopening of our city.” Read more here.