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Nueces County warns some FEMA COVID reimbursements remain at risk after delayed submissions
Summary
County staff told the commissioners that roughly $2.8 million in COVID‑19 related reimbursements remain pending with FEMA; about $701,606 has been obligated against a $2.2 million advance, while other submissions are under review and could be disallowed.
County finance and emergency management staff updated the Commissioners Court on April 12 about outstanding FEMA and related COVID‑19 reimbursement requests and the fiscal exposure to the county.
Staff reported the county was awarded $2,450,080.40 in FEMA COVID‑19 funds and received an advance of $2,205,072.38. To date, about $1,399,773.81 in reimbursement requests have been submitted against that allocation, with $701,605.81 approved and applied toward the advance. Additional related FEMA projects and submissions remain under review; county staff estimated roughly $2.8 million in expenses could remain pending or at risk if FEMA declines portions of the claims.
Commissioners pressed staff on documentation delays, invoicing backlogs and the need for tighter invoice controls; staff said delayed and incomplete invoices slowed processing and that FEMA often requests supplemental records and contractual backup. Commissioners instructed staff to continue obtaining required documentation from vendors and to return with more consolidated reporting at the next meeting.
Staff also noted a separate FEMA award for a winter storm (‘‘Yuri’’) had advanced funds and the county’s share was small (10% of the awarded amount), which staff said is largely settled. Commissioners expressed concern about the multi‑year timeline FEMA historically follows for large reimbursements and about the county’s exposure if FEMA ultimately rejects claims under review.
