County consultant helps to decide how to spend virus aid

Jody Opheim, CARES Act funding coordinator, gave a report to county commissioners Monday, July 29. She has been hired to help administer the program in Whitman County; including paperwork, reporting and ultimately, recommendations to county commissioners for how to spend $2,757,100.

Whitman County was awarded the federal aid for the period of March 1- Oct. 31. Local towns and cities have also received a minimum of $25,000 each.

CARES stands for the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.

“One large caveat,” Opheim said. “The money cannot be used to replace lost revenue due to the st...