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Commissioners approve application for SAFER grant after debate over new county cost share
Summary
After federal rules changed to require local cost sharing, the Okeechobee County Board approved submitting an application for a FEMA SAFER grant to add 13 firefighters, subject to later board acceptance if awarded.
The Okeechobee County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to submit an application for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security FEMA Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant to fund 13 firefighter positions.
Why it matters: the federal program recently changed its cost-share rules, moving the county away from a previously available three-year full federal pay model toward a phased local cost share. County staff and commissioners spent more than an hour discussing whether to apply given the new local budget exposure.
Fire Chief Wooten told the board the SAFER program opened May 23 and that new guidance reinstated cost sharing. “They have taken away the 3 years of free funding,” he said, summarizing the change: “what they're calling, 'no more free money.'” Chief Wooten presented the draft budget impact that shows the county responsible for 25% in year one, 25% in year two, 65% in year three and 100% thereafter for any retained positions beyond the grant period.
County staff noted the department currently runs many apparatus with two personnel and that additional hires would move units toward recommended staffing levels. Commissioners and staff also discussed mandatory overtime and current overtime costs; Chief Wooten said overtime for fire and EMS is running substantially over budget because of existing vacancies.
Commissioner discussion centered on fiscal risk. One commissioner said the county could apply and later decline an award if the fiscal picture deteriorated, while others urged caution because an award for 13 hires would obligate the county to retain those positions after the grant terms. The board directed staff to proceed with submitting the application but acknowledged they would return for formal acceptance if the county is awarded the grant.
The motion to apply for the grant passed unanimously. Commissioners asked staff to model a lower number of positions (for example nine) as an alternative before final acceptance if needed, but the board’s formal vote authorized submission for 13 positions.
The board also instructed staff to continue evaluating local revenue and staffing options (including impact-fee projections and overtime reductions) that would be used to meet future county obligations if the grant were awarded and positions were retained.
