Kossuth County supervisors name FEMA representatives, approve $68,000 Category Z reimbursement request and several drainage repairs

Kossuth County Board of Supervisors voted to name two county officials as the county’s authorized representatives for federal and state disaster-assistance matters, approved submission of a Category Z FEMA reimbursement request for about $68,000, and authorized several local drainage repairs during the board’s drainage agenda item.

The action placed the county’s FEMA-related duties with the two designated county representatives and cleared a state-prepared request for Category Z funds — a FEMA-management-cost allowance of up to 5 percent of an approved project, reimbursed at 100 percent — so the county can receive that money while an appeal of the underlying project remains pending.

Board members discussed continuity on long-running FEMA projects and who should serve as the county’s point people. A supervisor who has been the primary contact for several years said the work has brought significant federal reimbursement to date, including “over a million dollars” for the project so far, and that continuity would be helpful. Other supervisors said a staff representative from the auditor’s office should participate so the county’s finance officer is involved. The board agreed to designate Kyle and Tammy as the county’s authorized representatives for federal/state assistance and recorded the action as a resolution (resolution number recorded in packet as “10 10 14 25 0 9”). The motion carried with eight ayes and one abstention.

Separately, the board approved signing a state-prepared request for Category Z reimbursement totaling about $68,000 so the county can receive management-cost reimbursement sooner; the board recorded approval for the county’s authorized representative to sign the request. County staff noted the request does not affect the pending FEMA appeal and that additional funds could be available if the appeal is successful.

The board also considered multiple drainage-repair requests. The supervisors approved a drainage-repair request in Irvington Township (Drainage District 51, Second 6) for a broken tile described as about 5 feet deep and 5 feet across, with corn stocks near the hole; the request was identified as submitted by a resident (transcript: “Dean Ben Scooter”). That motion was made by Supervisor Stecker and seconded by Supervisor Wachter and carried following the vote. Another incoming repair request was confirmed to be in Drainage District 170; staff said crews went to inspect and planned to excavate to verify the correct district and needed work before a formal recommendation.

Board members clarified that an outside consultant (identified in meeting discussion as Leon) has access to FEMA portals and project files under contract but is not one of the two county-authorized representatives. Board members also noted the county can register multiple representatives with FEMA/state partners; Kate Kramer of the state (Iowa Homeland Security, as identified in discussion) was cited as a contact regarding representative rules.

On next steps, the board asked staff to update the official resolution text and packet, to attach meeting minutes showing formal approval, and to have the designated representative sign the state reimbursement request so it can be submitted. Staff said routine reporting (quarterly reports and other paperwork) will continue while the county waits for the outcome of the FEMA appeal.

The drainage agenda also included routine items and a reminder from staff about agenda deadlines and upcoming agenda items (pay application No. 5 and change order No. 3 for DD 40, and a road-removal request). The board adjourned at 10:23 a.m.