$ 42 million spent on COVID on the Austin Council agenda two months after the end of the emergency

Agenda point The 18th Austin City Council meeting on Thursday focused on “several emergency contracts with various contractors to provide goods and services related to the coronavirus pandemic.”

The 19 items to be approved total $ 41,913,374.

Citing state and local emergency announcements made at the start of the pandemic, the agenda reads: “The city’s response required temporary housing agreements, alternative care sites, both large tests and large vaccination operations, and tasks in support of special risk groups ”.

This consignment of goods, he adds, includes contracts for the provision of services that exceed the authority of the mayor to approve unilaterally.

Earlier this year, the city of Austin was one of the last places in Texas that still entailed restrictions on the coronavirus when the amicron variant spread. But in March, coronavirus rates dropped significantly and Mayor Steve Adler abolished all orders requiring wearing masks and requiring businesses to publish a checklist of coronavirus precautions.

But these items continue coronavirus-focused services from the city.

Among them are $ 10.4 million for temporary housing agreements as assistance in renting, mortgaging and utilities; $ 14.7 million combined for coronavirus tests, support services and a new testing center; $ 1.6 million to deliver food to the homeless; and $ 130,550 for ultrasound machines.

The agenda adds that there may be other such costs. “Staff will submit additional requests for ratification at future Council meetings as procurement continues to support the city’s response to the COVID-19 emergency,” the statement said.

In April, the council proposed, then postponed, then canceled $ 15 million contract for marketing vaccination and advocacy services. Coronavirus in the city metrics continue to remain low.

See each item below: