Emergency management: County awarded $107,250 for Operation Stone Garden; consultant hired to update hazard mitigation plan

Chandra, staff member, Spokane County (emergency management), told commissioners March 4 that federal fiscal year 2024 Operation Stone Garden funding for the county totals $107,250.

Chandra said, as is typical for Operation Stone Garden grants, the bulk of the award will support helicopter maintenance and overtime for deputies; the award also covers snow‑shoe landing gear attachments for the sheriff’s helicopter. "The award amount is $107,250 and as is typical with the Operation Stone Garden funding, the bulk of that funding goes to helicopter maintenance as well as overtime for our deputies," she said.

Chandra also briefed the board on a contract to update the county’s hazard mitigation plan. She said the plan update is technical and that the county went sole source because the consultant hired for the prior two iterations is best positioned to perform the update. "This is the only plan that we maintain that we actually hire a consultant for," Chandra said.

No vote or formal action was recorded in the briefing; Chandra said the contract and grant award had been received and staff would proceed with the work outlined.