Plano to receive $9.7 million to help pay public-safety salaries

PLANO, TX – Plano is set to receive an additional $9.7 million in CARES Act funding to offset public-safety salaries amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

During a special meeting Thursday, the City Council voted to accept the funding, which will be distributed by the Collin County Commissioners Court.

Expenses covered are salaries for police officers, fire marshals, emergency management, firefighters, emergency medical responders, correctional and detention officers, environmental health officers and those who directly support such employees such as dispatchers and supervisory personnel, according to the Commissioners Court.

The expenses must have occurred between March 1 and Dec. 30.

The funding is part of a $2 trillion federal relief program through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act passed by Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump.

The latest round of funding is in addition to what the city received through the CARES Act earlier this year, city manager Mark Israelson said.

Mayor Harry LaRosiliere said the money is like an early Christmas present for the city.

In May, Plano earmarked $1.4 million in federal funding for COVID-19 economic relief. Part of the money was used to help at-risk residents with paying rent, mortgage payments, utility bills and for rapid rehousing if they experience homelessness.