Schuylkill Clerk of Courts Maria Casey last week called for an audit of CARES funds the county received from the federal government.

She said the public does not know how the county awarded the $12,765,970. A full list of applicants who received the $1,098,112 was provided previously. In all, 22 municipalities, 24 nonprofits and 30 small businesses received money. The county kept the majority of the money for expenses associated with the pandemic, officials said.

Casey spoke with incoming Auditor General Timothy DeFoor and requested an audit of the CARES money.

“An audit will be coming,” Casey said.

She will send a letter to DeFoor outlining her concerns once he takes office in January.

Casey claimed the awarding of the funds was improper. The state Department of Community and Economic Development released a 23-page frequently asked questions document on its website that covers such topics as compliance, expenditures and eligibility.

“If the audit comes out the way we think it will, you will have to repay a lot of that money,” Casey said.

Commissioners, Finance Director Paul Buber and Mark Morgan, director of Susquehanna Accounting & Consulting Solutions Inc. Harrisburg, said those who applied and met criteria were funded. Information was not provided on those who applied for but were not awarded funding.

County Administrator Gary Bender said a letter was sent to those who applied but were not awarded money.

“Bender said previously the county has been cautious and complied with applicable requirements for disbursement.

Residents, business leaders and Robert S. Carl Jr. president and chief executive officer of the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce have expressed frustrations with the prices and the amount of money the county kept for its use.