Inyo supervisors approve submission of resolution to NACo seeking federal pilot program for water-based fire suppression funding

The Inyo County Board of Supervisors voted April 8 to submit a proposed resolution to the National Association of Counties (NACo) seeking a federal pilot program to fund water infrastructure for fire suppression and provide grant-writing technical assistance to small and volunteer fire agencies.

The resolution, introduced by Supervisor Orel, would ask NACo to add the proposal to the American Counties policy platform so NACo can advocate for federal funding and technical support on behalf of counties such as Inyo. Deputy County Administrator Megan McCammon told the board staff and the county's contracted grants management team helped draft the proposal after staff identified limited federal funding streams for water infrastructure used in fire suppression.

The proposal would create a federal pilot program that funds water infrastructure and provides technical assistance for eligible entities including community service districts and volunteer fire departments, McCammon said. Supervisor Orel said the assistance component is “a really significant piece” because many smaller agencies lack capacity for grant writing and application management.

Orel framed the resolution as a transparency step and said she wanted the board to be aware before she submits the proposal at NACo’s Environment, Energy and Land Use steering committee meeting in July in Lehi. “I would ask that, if you have any input, if you have any reservations, that you would share that with us now before I take this forward,” Orel said.

Board members spoke in support. A supervisor cited reconstruction efforts in Paradise, Calif., saying federal funding for rebuilding water systems is limited and slow without targeted assistance. Another supervisor said the proposal was “a great piece of work” and hoped it would help communities rebuilding infrastructure to meet new standards.

Supervisor Orel moved to allow submission of the proposed policy to NACo; a second was given. The board voted in favor; members responded “Aye” and the motion passed.

Why it matters: County officials said the lack of federal funding and technical assistance for water systems that support fire suppression leaves many rural and frontier communities vulnerable during large wildfires and constrains rebuilding after catastrophic events.

What’s next: Orel plans to present the resolution to her NACo steering committee in July. The county indicated staff and its grants team will continue work on related funding and technical-assistance strategies.