Here’s how El Paso will spend $119 million in federal virus funds

EL PASO, Texas -- El Paso City Council on Tuesday approved a plan for how to use money received from the federal government for the coronavirus pandemic.

The city has received nearly $119 million and city staff came up with several recommendations for the money.

Council voted to spend $16.4 million of those funds on community response and recovery programs including ways to help pay rent, utilities, and mortgages during these tough times.

In addition, council also OK'd using $84.2 million of the money to fund the public health and safety response, including contract tracing after a well-known El Paso epidemiologist told council more tracing was needed.

A presentation below that was given to council by city staff involving the federal grant money also shows economic response and recovery program spending will be $18.4 million.