Adelanto council approves allocation of additional CARES Act funds despite dissent

The Adelanto City Council voted to accept an additional $440,336 in CARES Act funding from San Bernardino County and to allocate the funds by reimbursing public-safety contract costs and purchasing three replacement vehicles.

Staff recommended $125,000 be applied to the county sheriff contract and $125,000 to the county fire contract to reduce general-fund obligations, and $190,336 to replace three aging city vehicles that staff said were costly to maintain. The expenditures must be obligated by year-end, staff said.

Councilmember Savannah Evans objected to using CARES money in that manner, saying it appeared to free up general-fund dollars for other uses and reduce oversight. "That to me just seems like a workaround," Evans said, adding concern that the allocation reduced transparency on how new discretionary funds might be used.

Staff replied the timing was tight and staff, the city manager and finance director judged paying contract costs the most appropriate, allowable use given the short obligation window; staff also noted the city had other funding (such as CDBG funds) for additional public assistance programs. The council approved the recommendation; vote record shows Councilmember Evans voted no while others voted yes.