CARES Act Guidelines Require 75% of Funds to be Allocated Toward Public Health
East Texas Council of Governments • October 13, 2020
Through the Coronavirus Relief Fund, the CARES Act provides financial assistance for state and local municipalities to navigate the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) and the U.S. Treasury have outlined what the CRF can be used for. Below is a consolidated and summarized version of their guidance and some examples and recommendations on how the funds can be used.
The CARES Act requires that funds only be used to cover expenses that
- are necessary expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency with respect to COVID-19
- were not accounted for in the budget most recently approved as of March 27, 2020
- were not incurred during the period that begins on March 1, 2020, and ends on December 30, 2020
75% of those funds must be spent in one of the following 3 areas
- Medical expenses such as
- COVID-19 related expenses of public hospitals, clinics, and similar facilities.
- Expenses of establishing temporary public medical facilities and other measures to increase COVID-19 treatment capacity, including related construction costs.
- Costs of providing COVID-19 testing, including serological testing.
- Emergency medical response expenses, including emergency medical transportation, related to COVID-19.
- Expenses for establishing and operating public telemedicine capabilities for COVID-19 related treatment.
- Public health expenses such as
- Expenses for communication and enforcement by State, territorial, local, and Tribal governments of public health orders related to COVID-19.
- Expenses for acquisition and distribution of medical and protective supplies, including sanitizing products and personal protective equipment, for medical personnel, police officers, social workers, child protection services, and child welfare officers, direct service providers for older adults and individuals with disabilities in community settings, and other public health or safety workers in connection with the COVID-19 public health emergency.
- Expenses for disinfection of public areas and other facilities, e.g., nursing homes, in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency.
- Expenses for technical assistance to local authorities or other entities to mitigate COVID-19-related threats to public health and safety.
- Expenses for public safety measures undertaken in response to COVID-19.
- Expenses for quarantining individuals.
- Payroll expenses for public safety, public health, health care, human service, and similar employees whose services are affected by COVID-19.
Our Regional Disaster Recovery Coordinator has outlined ideas for municipalities to consider when distributing funds.
- Funds may be used to pay employees' salaries and benefits if those employees are in public safety/public health.
- Funds may be used to increase solid waste capacity due to the increase in PPE waste.
- Funds may be used to help a manufacturer re-tool to produce PPE.
- Funds may be transferred to another unit of government, such as a school district, to help them deal with the public health emergency to purchase PPE and other supplies for student and staff.
- Use funds to establish telemedicine services for employees and/or citizens, especially for COVID-19 related treatments.
- Replacement, repairs, or retrofit of emergency medical vehicles for reliable use and safe transportation of individuals who may have COVID-19.
- Purchase of additional office supplies to allow for each employee to have their own. This will further prevent the spread of COVID-19 through shared-use office supplies.
Contact Our Regional Disaster Economic Recovery Coordinator, Daniel Seguin, at (903) 218-6471.
The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) is proud to announce the grand opening of its new GoBus Maintenance Facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, November 13, at 2:00 PM. The celebration will take place at the new facility, located directly behind ETCOG’s headquarters at 3800 Stone Road in Kilgore, and the public is invited to attend. This new $3.3 million facility, funded by the Federal Transit Administration and the Texas Department of Transportation, represents a major step forward for the GoBus program. With two work bays, a dedicated wash bay, training rooms, and expanded fleet parking, the facility will serve as the home base for both GoBus administrative and maintenance teams. “This facility allows us to take a more proactive approach to vehicle maintenance and safety,” said Vince Huerta, ETCOG Transportation Director. “Having the ability to complete repairs in-house means we can get vehicles back on the road faster and continue delivering safe, reliable transportation services.” The GoBus program provides public transit service across ETCOG’s 14-county region. By investing in in-house maintenance, ETCOG will be able to improve efficiency, conduct more thorough inspections, and reduce repair turnaround times—all while keeping service reliable for East Texas riders. Community members, partners, and stakeholders are encouraged to join ETCOG staff for the ribbon-cutting and facility tour. The event not only celebrates the opening of a new building but also marks an investment in the future of regional transit and the people who rely on it every day.
Local governments and special districts have been given the opportunity to apply for grant funds from the East Texas Council of Governments, funded by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). To support regional waste minimization efforts in ETCOG’s fourteen (14) county region, ETCOG accepts applications for its annual Municipal Solid Waste grant funds. The approximate expected total amount of funding is $161,705. The grant application period closed on September 29, 2025. Submitted grant applications are available for public and private review from October 2, 2025, to October 15, 2025. For questions or comments, please contact ETCOG's Economic Development Manager, Lisa Smith , by email or calling (903) 218-6467.
ETCOG is pleased to announce its new Chairman, City of Whitehouse Mayor James Wansley, the new Board and Executive Committee Officers serving for FY 2026, and Executive Committee members serving a new two-year term. The ETCOG Board of Directors appoints the Executive Committee, which is responsible for establishing the policies, programs, and services on behalf of the Board for our 14-county region. Board Officers Chairman – City of Whitehouse Mayor James Wansley 1st Vice-Chairman – Camp County Judge AJ Mason 2nd Vice Chairman – Smith County Commissioner Ralph Caraway 3rd Vice Chairman – City of Carthage City Commissioner Tate Barber Secretary/Treasurer – Anderson County Commissioner Rashad Mims “My first experience of working with ETCOG came shortly after hearing Executive Director David Cleveland speak at a regional broadband workshop. The more I worked with David and the ETCOG staff, the more I saw their passion for serving our communities and the critical role Councils of Governments play in the great State of Texas. Our region has only one Council of Governments, and we are blessed that ours is strong and continually working to do more. Each of our Executive Board’s elected officials, representing ETCOG’s 14 counties, is dedicated to continuing to provide innovative solutions and excellent service. As Chairman for the upcoming fiscal year, I look forward to working with the board, the staff, our committees, and the communities we serve to shape our strategic plan. I am looking forward to working with you,” said Mayor Wansley. New Executive Committee Terms Anderson County – Commissioner Rashad Mims Camp County – Judge AJ Mason Harrison County – Commissioner William Hatfield Henderson County – Commissioner Chuck McHam Rusk County – Commissioner Robert Kuykendall Van Zandt County – Judge Andy Reese Wood County – Mayor Randy Dunn New Executive Committee Members *Gregg County Cities – City of Longview Mayor Kristen Ishihara *Gregg County Cities has a one-year unexpired term remaining, for which Mayor Ishihara was nominated to fill the seat. "I am grateful for the volunteer service rendered by all of our elected officials and particularly want to thank and congratulate our new Chairman, Mayor James Wansley, and the rest of our ETCOG Officers and Board members for their selfless dedication and service to our region," said ETCOG's Executive Director, David Cleveland. These new officers and board member terms were approved at our September 18 th Board of Directors meeting, where the FY 2026 Budget and Planning Guide totaling $86 M was also approved. The budget is the largest in agency history and represents a balanced budget, with revenue sources matching projected expenditures for all funds. Service program totals are: Area Agency on Aging of East Texas – $4,885,886 Public Safety – $4,363,393 Transportation – $11,745,053 Workforce & Economic Development – $64,503,626 GIS & Regional Technology Solutions – $279,824 General Fund – $275,584 To learn more about the FY 2026 budget and program goals, visit www.etcog.org/financials .
ETCOG Opens Applications for Veteran-Friendly Community Designation
Deadline for applications September 26, 2025
The ETCOG Board of Directors will meet this month to consider the largest budget in agency history! The proposed budget totals $86,053,366, reflecting an overall increase of $642,472 compared to the prior year. Program area revenue totals for the budget this year are: Area Agency on Aging - $4,885,886 Public Safety - $4,363,393 Transportation - $11,745,053 Workforce & Economic Development - $64,503,626 GIS & Regional Technology Solutions - $279,824 General Fund - $275,584 The FY2026 Budget will serve as the financial guide to help each Division meet its respective performance measures and enable ETCOG to continue its efforts to maximize the use of technology to achieve desired service levels, streamline operational processes, safeguard its data investment, and realize our vision and mission. Other business items on the agenda include the chair's report on the year's accomplishments, the election of Executive Committee members and officers, and the presentation of the Chairman's Service Award. The 108th Semi-Annual Board of Directors meeting will be held on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at the Rusk County Youth Expo Center and Arena in Henderson, Texas. The meeting will begin at 11:45 a.m. We welcome our members and their guests to register to attend at www.etcog.org/open-meetings .
ETCOG is pleased to announce the appointment of Adrian Cornejo as the new Director of the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas (AAA). In this role, Cornejo will lead efforts to develop and coordinate services that support the health, independence, and quality of life of older adults across ETCOG’s fourteen-county region. Cornejo brings a strong background in healthcare leadership and military service. He most recently worked as an Account Manager for Humana’s Institutional Special Needs Plan program, where he partnered with skilled nursing facilities to improve care coordination, leading to a 20% reduction in hospital readmissions. Earlier in his career, Cornejo served in the United States Navy for nearly two decades, rising to the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer and managing budgets exceeding $550 million while leading more than 350 Sailors and Marines. “Adrian’s leadership experience in both healthcare and the military has equipped him with the skills and dedication needed to serve East Texas seniors,” said ETCOG Executive Director David Cleveland. “His background in building partnerships and his deep commitment to public service make him a tremendous asset to our team.” Cornejo shared his enthusiasm for his new role, saying, “It is an honor to join ETCOG and to serve the seniors of East Texas. My goal is to build on the strong foundation already in place at the Area Agency on Aging and continue to expand access to services that help older adults and their families live with dignity and independence.” The AAA is administered through ETCOG and is part of a nationwide network created through the Older Americans Act of 1965. It provides a wide range of services, including information and referral, benefits counseling, case management, health education, senior nutrition programs, housing repair, caregiver support, and Ombudsman advocacy for individuals in long-term care facilities. These programs are designed to help older residents remain active and independent in their homes and communities for as long as possible.
$ 161,705.00 Estimated to be Available for FY 2026/2027 East Texas Projects
Pictured left to right: Baylea Evans, GoBus Strategic Development Manager; David Cleveland, ETCOG Executive Director; Lindsay Vanderbilt, Communications Director; Dylan Cook, Communications Specialist; Katey Pilgram, Associate Director of Transportation ETCOG's rural transit system, GoBus , is pleased to be a recipient of the South West Transit Association's (SWTA) Annual Spotlight Awards . The awards celebrate the exceptional efforts and contributions of transit agencies and organizations across the region that have significantly impacted their communities. ETCOG received the Hit The Spot: Social Media Award for rural systems for our campaign, “On the GO with GoBus!” produced to promote service availability in the rural areas surrounding Longview for residents of White Oak, Lakeport, Hallsville, and Gladewater. "We are thrilled to win a Spotlight Award for our social media campaign developed to raise awareness of public transportation options available within the Longview Urbanized Zone, but outside the city limits where city bus service is not available. These communities, though part of the urban area, were without access to reliable transit. Through TxDOT funding and a unique partnership between Longview Transit and GoBus, we were able to extend service to these underserved areas. The campaign focused on educating residents about their new access to affordable, reliable transportation options,” said ETCOG's Communications Director, Lindsay Vanderbilt. Our Associate Director of Transportation, Katey Pilgram, joined other award recipients and marketing experts to share details on their award-winning campaigns and projects at the SWTA Summer University Conference held July 27-30, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana. The awards – reviewed and judged by marketing and communication professionals at transit agencies and private marketing firms – are among the oldest awards recognizing marketing campaigns and projects in the public transportation industry, first awarded in 1990. SWTA's membership covers Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.