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Board backs FEMA application to fund community generators; county match capped at $50,827
Summary
The Floyd County Board of Supervisors agreed to pursue a FEMA Hazard Mitigation grant to install and replace multiple generators at county facilities, approving a county match cap of $50,827 and authorizing staff to proceed with grant administration if awarded.
Floyd County officials moved this month to pursue federal funding for emergency generators at several county facilities, agreeing to cap the county’s cash match at $50,827 if a FEMA Hazard Mitigation grant is awarded.
County staff told the Board the application — one of two FEMA submissions discussed at the meeting — would fund replacement generators at five county sites and a new generator for a high‑priority pump station. Staff said administrative funds associated with the grant would cover the additional workload of managing a federal award. The Board approved submitting the second FEMA application and setting the county match at $50,827.
County staff cautioned members that FEMA grants require detailed documentation, engineering plans and strict grant administration; staff recommended contracting grant administration if the award is made. The Board also heard that one earlier FEMA application (Application 1) had a minor spreadsheet error that staff corrected without a need for additional local match and that officials were already pursuing reimbursements for emergency costs from a presidential disaster declaration related to recent storms.
The application the Board approved lists five sites for replacement generators, plus a new generator at a high‑priority pump station, and estimates project costs at just over $1 million before accounting for grant administration funds. The Board asked staff to proceed, and set an explicit cap for the county’s cash contribution should the grant be awarded.
County staff noted the grant process is competitive; they urged continued collection of evidence about past outages and emergency expenses to strengthen the application’s cost‑benefit case. Staff also said some project partners (utility and conservation partners and private tower owners) have made in‑kind offers that reduce the county’s out‑of‑pocket costs.
If awarded, the grant would reimburse a large portion of eligible costs and provide partial administrative funds; staff said they would return to the Board with a detailed contract plan for grant administration and construction if FEMA notifies the county of an award.
Board members voted 4–0 to authorize staff to submit FEMA Application 2 with the county match capped at $50,827 and to pursue grant administration options as required.
Ending: The Board’s vote starts the formal grant application process; staff will present a contract and implementation plan if FEMA awards the funds.
