New Berlin Will See $3.9 Million In Coronavirus Recovery Funds

NEW BERLIN, WI — New Berlin will receive nearly $4 million in federal coronavirus relief funds.

The U.S. Treasury Department released an allotment on May 10 for how much money American cities and counties can expect to receive from the $350 billion Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. The Treasury has also given out details on how the money can be used to respond to pandemic response needs, missing revenue for local governments and support communities hit the hardest by COVID-19.

The City of New Berlin is scheduled $3.9 million in two installments.

Ralph Chipman, New Berlin's Director of Finance, told Patch that the first installment will come this month after the money is distributed to the state. The second installment will come 12 months later. The city will receive roughly $2 million per year.

The Common Council will decide where the money goes after determining what it can be used for.

"The U.S. Treasury was tasked with coming up with what (the funds) are allowed to be used for," Chipman said. "Once my colleagues and I get a grasp on that, then we'll make a decision about what the most effective way is to spend these funds."

The Coronavirus State and Local Recovery Funds was established by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. According to a breakdown released last week, Milwaukee County will receive $183 million and the City of Milwaukee will receive $394 million. According to Chipman, New Berlin didn't need to register for funds because it has less than 50,000 residents but will have to wait for disbursement from the state.

The U.S. Treasury has shared some details on how funds can possibly be used:

• Support public health response by funding COVID-19 mitigation efforts, covering medical expenses and for public health and safety staff
• Replace public sector revenue loss to ensure the continuity of vital government services by filling budget gaps
• Address negative economic impacts by delivering assistance to workers and families through support to unemployed workers, rehiring staff and giving aid to households.
• Offering premium pay for essential workers both directly and through grants to third-party employers. This would also be used to help low- and moderate-income employees who face disproportional health risks and compensation.
• Improvements to water and sewer infrastructure, such as building or upgrading facilities and distribution systems.