San Joaquin County's Biggest City Claims They've Been Overlooked For Coronavirus Relief Funds
STOCKTON (CBS13) — The federal government has allocated $133 million to San Joaquin County in COVID-19 relief funds, but one local official disagrees with how the money is being spent.
Stockton's Mayor Michael Tubbs says a good chunk of that money should go to his city.
"We can ramp up testing and contact tracing and help our small businesses and provide rental assistance," Tubbs said.
Money from the federal government's CARES Act is only being distributed to cities and counties in California whose populations exceed a half a million people. Mayor Tubbs said if it wasn't for Stockton's size, San Joaquin County would get nothing.
It's nonsensical that San Joaquin County received 133 million from the Cares Act based on the population (comprised almost entirely by residents of cities), yet the staff recommendation is to give no money to the cities for COVID-19 related expenses.
— Michael Tubbs (@MichaelDTubbs) May 12, 2020
"We have to be part of the conversation. At the very least to be able to have our expenses reimbursed," Tubbs said.
Right now, all the money is controlled by the county board of supervisors. They've decided out of the $133 million they were given, nearly $118 million will go to San Joaquin General Hospital & County departments. Approximately $15 million will go to economic development, and $3 million will go to the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors.
"Stockton is receiving no money directly from the federal government or from the county," Tubbs said.
San Joaquin County says their first priority is to reimburse healthcare costs but Stockton's Mayor says their focus should be on the city's vulnerable population.