Emergency management seeks county resolution to accept 2026 grants; LEPC invoice and IPP update discussed

Emergency management staff told the Public Safety Committee they must complete a countywide survey for the Integrated Preparedness Plan (IPP), update hazmat off-site plans, close out 2025 grant deliverables and secure a county resolution to accept 2026 grant funds.

The presenter said the IPP is a three-year prospectus and requires updating the third year; they will close out 2025 and add the 2028 year. As part of grant administration, emergency management must update 10 hazmat facility off-site plans and convene the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC). The presenter said they received an invoice from Vernon County for $2,500 related to mutual aid or team coverage and want that same line item included in the LEPC budget for 2026 to avoid lapses in regional team coverage.

On grants, emergency management staff said they intend to apply for the EPCR (Emergency Preparedness grant) and noted they recently learned a county resolution is required to accept those funds. The presenter said timing is tight and asked which committee should move a resolution to the county board; committee members agreed the Public Safety Committee should advance the resolution to the finance committee and then the county board so the county can accept funds before grant deadlines in October.

The presenter also reported the county has submitted an application for an NG9-1-1 grant and is awaiting responses on a P7 program submission. They noted the January 15 release date for a GIS-related NG9-1-1 grant with funding likely available by June and encouraged departments to submit requests while $2 million remains unallotted in state funding for NG9-1-1 grants.

Committee members asked staff to locate previous resolutions and to prepare the necessary documentation so the county board can accept grant awards in time.