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Linn County preparing resolution to adopt 2025–2030 multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan to preserve FEMA funding eligibility
Summary
An ECICOG representative told supervisors the county’s updated hazard mitigation plan — covering the county, 18 cities and 11 school districts — has cleared state review and now needs county resolution and submission to FEMA for final approval to keep grant eligibility.
Megan Prestigard, an environmental specialist with the East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG), updated the Linn County Board of Supervisors on March 10 on the county’s multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan update for 2025–2030 and asked the board to adopt the plan by resolution on Wednesday so FEMA can complete final approval.
“The purpose of the hazard mitigation plan update is to identify hazards that can impact a community and actions to minimize these negative impacts,” Prestigard told the supervisors, noting that updated plans are required every five years to remain eligible for FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant programs.
Prestigard said the update covered 30 jurisdictions — the county, 18 cities and 11 school districts — and that 35 planning meetings were held between June and October 2024. The draft plan was completed in January and a public comment period closed the same month; ECICOG received one public comment and a few clarifications from participating communities, she said. Iowa Homeland Security required a few clarity edits that did not change priorities; after those edits the state approved the submission and has forwarded the plan to FEMA for review.
County adoption by resolution is required before FEMA provides final approval, Prestigard said. She told the board ECICOG is assisting participating jurisdictions with the adoption process and that the county’s resolution was written and scheduled to appear on the board’s Wednesday agenda for signature.
Supervisor questions at the meeting noted the planning committee membership and the emergency management agency’s participation. Prestigard named Stephanie Lentz as the county’s main contact on the plan and said representatives from the county’s EMA, school districts and several municipalities had taken part in planning.
Ending: The board was asked to adopt the plan by resolution at the next business meeting so FEMA can complete review and maintain the county’s eligibility for hazard mitigation grant programs.
