County to receive over $2.4 million in COVID relief

               During the Wright County Board of Supervisors Meeting on Monday, a new fund called “America Rescue Plan of 2021” was established to manage soon to be received COVID relief funds. The fund was created due to recent federal guidance. The county is slated to receive just over $2,436,000 in COVID relief money due to recently passed legislation. Auditor Betty Ellis said some of the funds should be received by the first part of May. The county will have until 2024 to use them. They are still waiting on guidance regarding how exactly the funds can be used. There is also a possibility of tapping into COVID relief grants for additional money in the future.

               In the weekly COVID update, Sandy McGrath noted that there have been 1,804 COVID cases in the county since March up to this point. She added that case counts are still ticking up and she still encourages people to get tested if you’re having symptoms.

               Regarding vaccinations, the county has given over 8,000 vaccinations, with 3,406 fully vaccinated now. (Not all of those vaccinated are from Wright County). McGrath said that currently, 32.6% of people in the county are vaccinated, which is ahead of the state average. She added that vaccine clinics have changed to accommodate younger, working adults with earlier morning and evening hours. You can check sign up times at signupgenius.com/go/10c0d44a5ae28a0f8c16-wright or by calling Public Health.

               In other board business, the board signed an amendment to renew the Child support County Staffing contract between the IA Dept. of Human Services, Bureau of Collections. Additionally, Angie Peterson, Wright County Deputy Treasurer, presented an assignment of a county held tax sale certificate for a property in Dows, totaling $3941.08.