Dumfries and Galloway Council has spent more than £10million dealing with the coronavirus crisis.
The authority has received additional funding from governments on both sides of the border but is currently facing a £2.5m shortfall on the bill.
And there are fears that a second wave of Covid-19 outbreaks could “significantly increase” the financial gap.
Council leader Elaine Murray admitted: “We need more money.”
She told the Standard: “We’re in a slightly more fortunate position than some other council areas that have dipped into their reserves.
“It is worse elsewhere but it’s still not been easy for us here. But we have reasons to be thankful right now.”
The spending figures were revealed in a council report published this week ahead of a meeting next Thursday.
The costs to date include:
● £1.85m on free school meals and shielding;
● £1.48m on emergency response measures agreed by the Covid-19 committee;
• £2.47m on further emergency measures including PPE and childcare;
• £1m on delayed savings;
• £900,000 for children’s services for mental health for young people and economic recovery
• £550,000 on additional restart costs.
The council has also factored more than £5m to cover the loss of income from the areas such as registrars, planning fees, rental and letting.
The actual total tops £13m but the authority has saved £3m thanks to a reduction in spending in areas such as fuel, travel, roads maintenance and supplies meaning the overall cost to date is £10.355m.
Dr Murray added: “COSLA are wanting to compile figures to take to the governments.
“We’ve had quite a bit of help from both governments but it’s not been as much as we were wanting. We’re wanting to make the case that we need more money made available.”
Paul Garrett, the council’s head of finance, will deliver a report to councillors next week outlining the financial landscape.
Councillors will be asked to note the estimated cost so far, note the £2.5 million shortfall and agree to allocate £727,000 on a recurring basis to address pressures within education and social work.
