Rogers County staff report 12 FEMA projects submitted; some obligations received and SafeRooms reimbursements begin
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Summary
County staff said 12 FEMA projects totaling about $3.03 million have been submitted for reimbursement; seven projects totaling roughly $1.05 million are obligated and moving through the state, and the county has received initial SafeRooms reimbursement checks.
Carl, a county emergency-management staffer, updated the Rogers County Board of County Commissioners on the status of pending FEMA disaster claims, saying the county had submitted 12 projects and that some obligations and reimbursements are already moving through state channels.
"There—re been 12 projects totaling $3,027,079.11 submitted to FEMA for reimbursement," Carl said. He told commissioners that the federal cost-share for the projects is 75% and that seven projects totaling $1,045,312 have been obligated and are either paid or in the process of payment through the state.
Carl said outstanding funds that remain to be obligated or received are approximately $1,004,486.32 and that a category Z management-cost project (administrative costs) will be created after all projects are obligated; he said that management cost is capped at 5% of total project costs.
On a related matter, Carl told the board that $15,000 in election-board funds related to disaster repairs have been deposited with the county treasurer and that the board must decide whether to repair the facility in kind or use the money on an alternative project. "We would like to know within 12 months," he said, to keep FEMA and the state informed of the county—s intent.
Commissioners asked about whether the 12.5% state reimbursement that had appeared on past disasters would be repeated. Carl said the state has indicated there will not be an automatic 12.5% refund of the state—s 25% withholding but that counties may continue to ask the state.
County staff also reported progress on SafeRooms reimbursements, saying the first check had been received in the treasurer—s office and a plan is in place to reimburse applicants after an upcoming excise-board meeting.
Why it matters: FEMA obligations and reimbursements affect county capital-repair timelines and local budgeting. The board was asked to decide within the stated FEMA window whether to repair the election-board facility in kind or pursue an alternate project.
What—s next: County staff said they will notify FEMA and the state as projects reach completion and that additional administrative (management-cost) funds will be requested when projects are fully obligated.