City staff told the Monte Vista City Council that the Sky High Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and associated generator project are significantly over budget and that staff has reduced scope to align with FEMA advertising requirements.

Staff reported a combined shortfall of about $1,000,000 between the generator procurement and the EOC portion that included showers and an RV area. Officials said a Buy American requirement (noted in the meeting as new federal buy-local material rules) required a different generator and associated components, which added about $168,000 to the generator package.

Because the federal grant requires expenditures by May 2026, staff said they have requested an extension from the state/federal contact and are awaiting a decision. To reduce costs, staff removed some restroom components and pared the EOC project to the minimum FEMA-advertised scope (four-stall shower building, 14-space RV area with centralized utilities and a sewer dump). Staff said they aim to advertise an award in mid-December and, weather permitting, begin site work in spring.

Council heard that conduit and preliminary sitework are under way at the generator location and that the city is working with vendors to re-bid or re-specify equipment to meet both FEMA and Buy American rules. Staff emphasized the project has many moving parts, including federal compliance and timing risks tied to grant deadlines.