City could use CARES Act funding for first responder salaries, economic development

The City of Hopkinsville is set to receive up to $2.3 million in federal CARES Act funding from the first pandemic stimulus package and the City Council Committee of the Whole heard Thursday night about how those funds might be spent.

Chief Financial Officer Robert Martin says the city can pay the salaries of first responders for the last three months of the fiscal year that just ended.

The city was looking at options to meet rising pension obligations before the coronavirus shutdown hit and Martin says they can use $1.5 million from the CARES Act to get through the next two years of pension cost increases.

Hopkinsville City Council will also be looking at creating an economic development fund that could include direct assistance for small businesses.

Council will have to approve budget amendments and a municipal order at future meetings to get those plans in motion.