On March 27, 2020, congress passed, and President Donald Trump signed into law, the Corovavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The CARES Act established the Coronavirus Relief Fund, and appropriated $150 billion to the fund.

On April 28, Saline County received information and guidance from the office of the Missouri State Treasurer regarding the distribution of certain CARES Act funds. Saline County received $2,670,320.

During the meeting of the Saline County Commission on Thursday, November 19, Northern District Commissioner Stephanie Gooden explained most of the money has been disbursed.

Gooden said all of money will be distributed by the deadline.

It was pointed out the commission will need to keep some of the money back to pay for the audit of the entire CARES Act process.

All of the funds must be doled out to qualified entities which have submitted applications by December 30, 2020, or the county must return the remainder to the state.