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Inyo supervisors back NACo resolution seeking federal pilot to fund water infrastructure for fire suppression
Summary
The Inyo County Board unanimously authorized submission of a proposed NACo policy asking Congress to create a federal pilot and technical-assistance program to help rural communities finance and build water systems adequate for wildfire suppression.
The Inyo County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously April 8 to allow submission of a proposed National Association of Counties (NACo) policy calling for a federal pilot program to fund water infrastructure for fire suppression and to provide technical-assistance to small local agencies.
Deputy County Administrator Megan McCammon told the board the effort responds to gaps in federal funding that leave small and frontier communities without adequate water for fighting large wildfires. Supervisor Orel, who is shepherding the proposal, said the pilot would target local community service districts, volunteer fire departments and county offices that lack the capacity for grant writing and complex applications.
"This is a proper and responsible use of taxpayer dollars because it would contribute to the safety of our communities and also to the safety of our first responders," Supervisor Orel said during discussion.
The measure points to a national problem: McCammon cited a figure from the National Special Districts Association about the scale of costs faced by water agencies when upgrading systems to meet firefighting needs. Board members said the resolution seeks both capital funding for physical system upgrades and federal support for the technical assistance necessary to apply for and manage grants.
Supervisor Orel moved to permit submission of the proposed policy to NACo and the board seconded and approved the motion by voice vote. Orel said the measure will be taken to a NACo steering committee and the NACo conference in Lehi in July.
The resolution, if adopted by NACo, would add the policy to NACo's platform and could position counties to press for federal pilot funding; it does not itself appropriate money or bind the county to any expenditure.
What happens next: Supervisor Orel will submit the proposed policy to the NACo steering committee as planned; the board did not take additional local funding actions at this meeting.
