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Council approves SAFER grant renewal application to retain three firefighters
Summary
Council authorized staff to submit a FEMA SAFER grant renewal that would fund three firefighter positions; administration said about $300,000 supports the existing SAFER-funded posts.
Mount Vernon City Council voted April 14 to authorize submission of an application to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for a SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) grant renewal intended to continue funding three firefighter positions.
The administration asked council to suspend the three-reading rule and adopt the resolution so staff could prepare the renewal application promptly. "This is a renewal and it's already paying for 3 of our firefighters," Councilman Mahan said during the committee briefing. Council members were told the grant writer has prepared the documents even though the application window had not yet opened.
Administration representatives said the city had "just north of $300,000 in SAFER funds" currently underwriting the three positions and that applying early would put Mount Vernon in a favorable position. The resolution (2025-45) was adopted after council suspended the normal three-reading rule.
Ending: City staff will proceed with the SAFER grant submission and return to council with updates on the application status and award timeline.
