MEDIA STATEMENT

May 13, 2020

Contact: Jolena Voorhis

(209) 468-2997/ jvoorhis@sjgov.org

Statement from San Joaquin County Regarding CARES Act Funding

“We recognize that all local governments are struggling with this crisis together and we deeply understand
the fiscal needs of our local cities during this unprecedented time. They are vital in maintaining our
sustainability and in overcoming the pandemic.

It was understood from the beginning that CARES Act funding would apply to counties and cities with a
population that exceeds 500,000 - which includes large jurisdictions like San Joaquin County. CARES Act
dollars will provide funding to address unfunded expenditures related to COVID-19, the Order of San
Joaquin County Public Health Officer, and the Local Emergency declaration. Counties and cities under
500,000 in population will be eligible for additional funding when Congress passes a new relief package,
which is currently being deliberated among federal lawmakers.

Part of the reason counties like San Joaquin received CARES Act funding, is because the majority of the
burden in combating this crisis has rested on the County and we are responsible for substantially more
public health, medical, and human services and support systems than cities. Counties serve as the
community safety net and are required by law to provide health care to the most vulnerable. San Joaquin
owns and operates the only public hospital in the County; a hospital that also serves as the only trauma
center in the County. San Joaquin General Hospital is where many COVID-19 patients are being treated
and therefore we need to be setting aside funds to ensure services are provided. Additionally, we are
leading the Countywide effort to fight the pandemic – including testing, tracing, community services, public
outreach and response, meeting all State-mandated metrics to reopen our economy and preparing for the
next wave of COVID-19 cases that are expected to appear this fall. It should also be noted that cities are
immediately eligible for FEMA reimbursement which is currently being coordinated by the County’s Office
of Emergency Services.

In the meantime, while our cities are not eligible to receive the CARES Act funding directly, the County has
earmarked CARES Act money for each County Supervisor to allocate in their districts which will be
dispersed throughout our community to our health care partners, businesses and other entities that qualify
for compensation. Collectively, the County Board of Supervisors represent every citizen in San Joaquin
County, both those that live in our seven cities and those in the unincorporated areas. The Board of
Supervisors are uniquely positioned to be sure the CARES Act funding is used in a manner that benefits
all San Joaquin County residents.

San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors will have another opportunity to reevaluate the allocation of
CARES Act funding during the month of August based upon actual expenditures spent to date, in an
effort to reallocate if necessary, with the goal in meeting the needs of the entire County and utilizing all
the resources available by the stipulated date of December 30, 2020.
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