County staff proposes using remaining tornado recovery donations to fund home tornado shelters

County emergency management staff told the board that after closing the long-term recovery effort for the May 16 tornado, donated funds remain and staff intends to submit a proposal to use the remaining charitable donations to fund tornado-shelter grants for homeowners rebuilding in affected areas.

The presenter said the funds were donated from community fundraising events and private donors — including local businesses and civic groups — and are managed by the community foundation and the long-term recovery committee. Staff said the committee intended to prioritize mitigation by offering grants to assist homeowners to add tornado shelters during the rebuild or design phase.

“Once all this is closed out and we close out the long term recovery committee…there is a significant reduction in the number of requests for assistance,” the presenter said, adding the intent is to use remaining funds to “offer tornado shelter grants for any of the homeowners who are building back.” Staff said donor lists and exact remaining balances will be provided to the committee to determine grant sizes and allocations.