Lee County searches for emergency management director as EMPG grant status remains uncertain

Lee County officials told the Public Safety Committee that the county has several candidates to replace the retired emergency management director and that state grant funding the position has not been confirmed for next year.

The county’s emergency management director retired earlier in the month, which left responsibilities "falling to Chairman Olsen" and to staff assisting him, committee members said. The sheriff reported the county received six applications for the vacant position and planned to interview three candidates next week for a part-time role. "We had 6 applications for the position. I believe we're gonna interview 3 or 4, 3, next week that are interested in the part time position," the sheriff said.

Jeremy (staff member) told the committee several grants run through the emergency management agency (EMA) and that he is preparing an expense report for the Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) that "reimburses part of Kevin's salary or the EMA salary that we currently have." He said the EMPG budget for next year "is still in limbo" and that he has spoken with the state, which has indicated some optimism but has not confirmed whether the grant will reopen. "We're hoping to to know a little bit more on if they're going to open that back up this month," Jeremy said.

Committee members discussed options under consideration for filling the director role, including hiring a stand-alone part-time director, a full-time director, or a hybrid arrangement within the sheriff's department. Jeremy said the county is "looking at all avenues" and wants to ensure any decision is "well thought out" given budget uncertainties.

No formal hiring decision was made at the meeting. Committee members were told interviews are scheduled and that staff will return with updates.