Commissioners discuss reimbursement for GCHD

EPHRATA — Grant County is eligible for about $5.4 million in federal aid to reimburse the county for expenses directly related to the COVID-19 outbreak. County commissioners and other elected officials conducted a discussion Monday on possible qualifying uses of the aid, with one focus being Grant County Health District.

Money spent between March 1 and Oct. 31 will be eligible for reimbursement.

The outbreak has meant additional work and expenses for the health district. Grant County Treasurer Darryl Pheasant said the health district has been required to tap its reserves.

Commissioner Richard Stevens said the health district hasn’t, to his knowledge, qualified for other coronavirus-related funding. In light of that, Stevens said, county officials should find out if GCHD expenses are eligible for the reimbursement.

Health district officials have expressed the need for more staff to help with tracing contacts of coronavirus patients, Stevens said. Health district officials estimated they could need up to four additional people, he added. Commissioner Tom Taylor said it may take more people than that.

Stevens said commissioners would request an estimate of GCHD costs and supporting documentation.