Council approves food-and-beverage funds for pool repairs tied to FEMA claim; contractor, reimbursement details discussed

Mooresville Town Council on Oct. 7 authorized the use of available food-and-beverage funds toward repair of structural damage at the municipal aquatic center and awarded the project to the low (and only) responsive bidder identified in the meeting materials.

Staff said the primary pool repair is a turnkey rebuild of the stainless-steel dive-wall and deck drains at an identified cost of $192,008.90. Staff reported the town has filed a claim as part of Morgan County's FEMA submission and that FEMA's maximum public assistance reimbursement for eligible costs could be 75%. Staff calculated that at 75% reimbursement the town's net cost would be approximately $48,424.50 after FEMA reimbursement (project cost $192,008.90 minus $144,667.50 reimbursement). Council authorized awarding the repair contract and directed that the town use the remaining food-and-beverage allocation of $176,003.50 toward the project; staff said any FEMA reimbursement would be returned to the same fund source when received and be available to cover other prioritized park projects.

Parks staff characterized the pool wall repair as a structural integrity issue that could lead to failure if not addressed before the next season. The contractor identified in meeting materials and discussion appears in meeting text as "Button Bomb and More" (several variant spellings appeared in meeting remarks); staff said that contractor originally built the pool and, per staff, was the only responsive bidder for the specialized stainless-steel repair.

Council discussed whether to submit insurance claims in addition to the FEMA claim; staff advised FEMA will not pay for items covered by insurance and recommended waiting to see the FEMA outcome before pursuing any insurance payment for uncovered costs. Council members requested that any FEMA reimbursement be returned to the food-and-beverage fund and that council vote on additional projects only after reimbursements arrive.

A motion to award the pool repair and to use the food-and-beverage balance passed on a unanimous recorded vote, 5-0. Staff said the contractor can mobilize over the winter and that FEMA reimbursement would follow final project completion and proof of full payment to the contractor.

Why it matters: Town staff described the repair as necessary to prevent a possible catastrophic pool failure and as the top parks priority; the council's vote commits local one-time discretionary funds with an expectation of federal reimbursement tied to a regional FEMA claim.