County budget committee reviews emergency management budget as general fund shortfall looms

The County Budget Committee on Sept. 9 reviewed the Emergency Management Agency—'s proposed budget and heard warnings that a shortfall in the county general fund will constrain supplemental funding requests. Mister Townsend, emergency management director, presented the agency's revenue and expense estimates and described training and equipment plans for the coming year.

Townsend told the committee that the agency has submitted $18,400 in reimbursements under the Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) for fiscal 2025 and expects a recurring EMPG award of about $24,500 next year, though he said the county has not yet received guidance from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) on the timing for submitting the next application. "I'm not real optimistic with the governor and our presence kind of going ahead," Townsend said. "I hope I'm wrong, but that's about $24,500 that we get." He said the department has not yet received the approved 2025 EMPG reimbursement but expects it in the next week or two.

Townsend outlined equipment and…