Greetings,
Heartfelt condolences go out to all of those in our community who are grieving the recent loss of loved ones. We are such a small, close-knit community and it is at these times – when a single loss is felt the most. Please continue to be there for one another – to help friends and loved ones through these difficult times.
While the Council and Executives continue to stay focused on our communities’ needs and managing our assets during this pandemic, we are also always mindful of our future. Mainstream media continues to report we may be dealing with the COVID-19 Pandemic for the better part of 2021. As the CARES Act recovery funds reached its deadline at the end of December of 2020, the program was extended to December of 2021. All funds received from that program have been obligated, with a portion being spent to stockpile PPE (masks, hand sanitizer, gloves, etc.) as well as a good supply of Bluestone COVID-19 tests, which are being used for our community testing program.
When our Seneca Emergency Medical Services Department was developed, we intended for the ambulance service to become billable, similar to how this service operates off-territory. I’m glad to report that we are very close to finalizing those billing procedures and will soon be able to bill an individual’s private health insurance company or Medicaid, for the service. I highly commend our Councillor and Seneca Fire Chief, Presley Redeye, and our Fiscal Department staff, for making this become a reality.
The year 2020 really proved to be a year of unprecedented circumstances, which required unprecedented decisions on how to best maintain day to day services and operations of our government. When planning for the 2020-21 fiscal year budget, we decided to operate on a five month budget; and re-evaluate our financial position as we approached the end of 2020. We are now preparing for in depth discussions on our seven month budget and will proceed with optimism for our future financial stability. This seven month budget will begin on March 1st, and carry us through to the end of the fiscal year, September 30th, 2021.
I hope everyone had a good New Year, in spite of COVID-19. I realize it is difficult at this time of year to not gather with friends and family; but, staying apart for the time being is the only way to ensure everyone’s health and safety from this global pandemic, which we continue to do battle with. Please stay safe.
Respectfully,
Rickey L. Armstrong, Sr.
