The Las Cruces City Council has been battling the twin challenges of a public health crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic fallout. As of February 16, 2021 the Las Cruces City Council has deployed $3.3 million to help people who have been adversely impacted by the pandemic and $500,000 to offer hazard pay to City workers on the frontlines. The funding has been distributed to support nonprofit organizations serving the most vulnerable in our community – including the homeless, elderly and food insecure.
$3.3M Aid Package
$500,000 Hazard Pay
(As of February 16, 2021
The City created the COVID-19 Response Report to document the response to the pandemic and as a tool for the community to understand where the assistance went to and who is better of because of it. The name was chose to illustrate that only together we can defeat COVID-19. The report is divided in six sections:
- Background
- Las Cruces Takes Action
- Uses of Funds
- COVID-19 Vaccine Plan
- Small Business Continuity Grant
- Las Cruces Safe Promise
Click on the book cover to read the report
GOING VIRTUAL
The City shifted operations to remote work as much as possible. Council meetings, public meetings and programs were held virtually. City departments, such as Parks and Recreation and Quality of Life, created interactive special events for people and families to discourage mass gatherings and to offer a fun alternative to residents so they could stay together, even when apart.
WHERE IS THE FUNDING COMING FROM?
Most of the money comes from the Telshor fund, a reserve fund made up of the City’s share of lease payments made by Memorial Medical Center that is jointly owned by the City and County. The rest comes from the City’s general fund for the Economic Development Department.