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Commissioners back memorandum to move Bowman FEMA work and approve French Broad Electric lease for part of Bowman building
Summary
Mitchell County commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding with the local school board to pursue transfer of the Bowman facility project worksheet to the county for FEMA public assistance and approved a lease for French Broad Electric to occupy part of a Bowman building pending renovations and insurance requirements.
The Mitchell County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a memorandum of understanding with the Mitchell County Board of Education to pursue transfer of Bowman facility storm-repair project responsibilities and to authorize a lease agreement with French Broad Electric for half of an occupational-skills building at the Bowman site.
County staff said they had paused the deed transfer to the county after the storm but now seek to move the FEMA project worksheet from the school system to the county because the county expects to operate and maintain the building. Staff said adding electrical and ballroom repairs to the project worksheet could increase FEMA-eligible reimbursements; staff estimated roughly $1 million in needed repairs at Bowman.
The board approved a motion to sign a joint memorandum of understanding allowing HGA (the county's disaster consultant) and staff to attempt to move the public-assistance project worksheet to the county; the transfer remains subject to FEMA approval.
Separately, commissioners approved a lease under which French Broad Electric would occupy and renovate half of the occupational-skills building at Bowman, create a small service area for customers, and maintain a fenced storage yard for equipment. French Broad will pay rent and is responsible for build-out costs, heating/cooling and the utility costs for its leased space; the lease included consumer-price-index rent escalators and renewal options at French Broad's choice.
County staff said the lease will keep a local utility presence on-site that aided the county following the storm and would help ensure crews are staged locally for future outages. Staff also said French Broad must carry insurance and will pay rent during any build-out period; the company had indicated readiness to begin renovations pending approvals.
County attorneys and staff said the FEMA program must still approve any transfer of public-assistance responsibilities and the project worksheet. "If FEMA says yes, this will streamline our process and make it easier for HGA to help us with this process," the county attorney said. If FEMA declines, the school board would continue to handle reimbursement and the county would seek other mitigation grants as appropriate.
The motions passed by voice votes. No funds were appropriated for Bowman repairs on Monday; staff will continue work on FEMA project scoping and return to the board with details as needed.
