Howard County accepts FEMA grant to update five-year multi-hazard plan

Howard County Board of Commissioners voted to accept a FEMA grant of $24,304 to update a five-year multi-hazard plan that covers Howard County and the cities of Kokomo, Rocherville and Greentown, county emergency management staff said. The grant requires a 25% local match equal to $8,128.60; staff told commissioners the match will be provided with in‑kind donations. Greg Schulan, filling in for Janice from the county Emergency Management Agency, said the multi-hazard plan is on a five-year update cycle and the grant would cover the entirety of the update for the county and the three municipalities. “I do need approval that you’ve accepted the grant and that you are okay with the 25% local match,” Schulan said, and added that he would prepare a letter for the president of the board to sign and return to FEMA. Commissioner Lipinski moved to accept the grant award letter and the local match commitment; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The action authorizes staff to sign and return required grant documents and to proceed with the plan update using the grant and in‑kind match. No additional funding obligation beyond the in‑kind match was specified in the discussion. Staff did not provide a timeline for completion of the update in the meeting remarks recorded in the transcript. The board recorded the acceptance of the grant and authorized the president to sign the acceptance letter; individual roll-call votes were not recorded.