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Consultant proposes FEMA-services retainer for Freestone County after disasters
Summary
A consultant told the Freestone County Commissioners Court he can help the county pursue FEMA public-assistance grants through a retainer contract; he said the retainer would cost no out-of-pocket unless a declaration triggers eligible funding, and that staff could bring proposal language for a future agenda.
A consultant told the Freestone County Commissioners Court that his firm can provide FEMA public-assistance services to help Freestone County apply for disaster grants and manage reimbursement when declarations occur.
Grant Burks identified himself to the court and said the arrangement would be a retainer-type contract that incurs no up-front cost to the county; the firm would submit proposals for services and return to the court to seek award and execution of any resulting contract. Burks said the approach lets the county act quickly when eligible disaster declarations create funding opportunities.
Burks told the court that most opportunities in the area involve flooding and drainage projects, and that his team has worked with the county in the past. He said the firm’s FEMA services team would bring individual grant opportunities to the county when they arise. In the transcript, Burks referenced an existing opportunity and used a numeric figure in the discussion; the transcript statement of that figure was unclear. The court did not adopt the retainer at the meeting; Burks said he could provide written materials and proposed agenda language for a future court meeting.
Burks also described that FEMA grants often require a local match and said his firm would help identify eligible costs and prepare requests when a declaration is in effect. He offered to provide a short presentation and handout for the commissioners’ packet if the court wants the item placed on a future agenda.
No formal action to approve a contract or solicitation was taken during the meeting; Burks asked the court to consider placing the proposal on a future agenda so the county could solicit proposals and then award a contract when an eligible declaration arises.
