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Emergency management director says flat budget adequate now but warns state must plan if federal disaster funding changes
Summary
The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management told the subcommittee it is requesting a flat budget and that the state emergency fund currently covers expected needs, but director cautioned about future risks if federal support changed.
The director of the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management told senators the agency is requesting a flat budget and believes its operations are covered by current resources, but officials warned the state must prepare if federal disaster funding changes.
Director Vest said the agency administers hundreds of federal grants and receives administrative cost reimbursements from FEMA that historically have supported state operations during disasters. “We're currently administering $787,000,000 across 63 grants from the federal government,” Vest said, adding that those grants bring management costs to the agency.
Senators questioned whether a flat budget would be sustainable if federal support were curtailed. Vest responded that the agency does not anticipate an immediate loss of federal funding, but acknowledged planners now need to consider longer-term sustainability. “If those did go away, we wouldn't have any funding,” she said, and added that the agency will consider future scenarios for maintaining response capacity.
Lawmakers asked about the state emergency fund balance and readiness for the upcoming storm season. Vest said the fund had been augmented last year by legislative appropriations: $30 million was set aside for a revolving loan program to advance money to communities after disasters, and about $7.5 million remains in the emergency fund for response and cost-sharing. She said $5 million of a recent appropriation is reserved for an ordered mobile command unit.
Committee members sought specifics on outstanding local matches and backlog. Vest said the agency had paid all immediate 12.5 percent cost-share obligations at the time of testimony and that projects remain in various stages of FEMA obligation and scope. She noted the agency could request supplemental appropriations if needed during an active disaster season.
The subcommittee did not alter the department's flat-budget request during the hearing. Members requested follow-up documentation on the emergency fund balance, loan program usage, and a longer-term plan should federal disaster reimbursements change.
