By Kevin Boneske
Staff Writer
HOBART – The village will be eligible for a reimbursement of up to $156,056 through a grant program being administered through the Wisconsin Department of Administration to assist local governments in covering unbudgeted expenses because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hobart Administrator Aaron Kramer informed the village board Tuesday, June 2.
Kramer said the Routes to Recovery grant program, which includes $190 million available to local units of government and $10 million for tribal governments in the state, uses a formula for making money available to municipalities based on population.
“Our total eligible expenditures are $156,056,” he said. “We don’t get that. We submit invoices. It’s to offset our costs related to COVID-19.”
Kramer said each village department has been directed to report any costs related to the pandemic, “whether it’s overtime, cleaning supplies, safety equipment, anything, we will submit to the state through this program and get reimbursed.”
He said he doesn’t anticipate Hobart will incur anywhere near $156,000 in costs it is eligible for because of the pandemic, but what expenses the village does have will be submitted for reimbursement.
Kramer said a minimum grant of $5,000, regardless of population size, is available to the state’s local units of government.
According to the DOA, the grants will cover reimbursements for:
• Emergency operation activities, including those related to public health, emergency services and public safety response.
• Purchases of personal protective equipment.
• Cleaning/sanitizing supplies and services, including those related to elections administration.
• Temporary isolation housing for infected or at-risk individuals.
• Testing and contact tracing costs above those covered by existing state programs.
• Federal Medical Leave Act and sick leave for public health and safety employees to take COVID-19 precautions.
• Meeting local match requirements for expenses submitted for reimbursement by Federal Emergency Management Administration, to the full extent permitted by federal law.
Restrictions lifted
Though Hobart’s parks were never closed and major restrictions had not been put in place because of the pandemic, Kramer said the village has resumed accepting reservations in the parks for large events.
He said Hobart also resumed prescription drug drop-off services with the box being kept outside so people don’t have to enter the village hall.
Kramer said visitors are also able to enter the village hall.
He said there are “virtually no restrictions anymore in the village” because of the pandemic.
“We’re back to as normal as we normally were before this…,” Kramer said.
Compliance report
The board approved the 2019 compliance maintenance report for the sewage collection system.
Public Works Director Jerry Lancelle said the village received an “A” rating with no sanitary sewer failures or backups.
“We have been improving our infiltration reductions through the years, so we’re doing well,” Lancelle said.
However, Kramer said 1,600 feet of sanitary sewer main will need to be relined next year at an estimated cost of $160,000.
“We have to do that, because if we don’t reline, we will be replacing, and that will be a lot larger number,” he said.