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Board briefed on FEMA hazard‑mitigation plan; plan enables grant applications, local share applies only to opted projects
Summary
County staff explained the FEMA‑approved county hazard mitigation plan the school district is being asked to adopt; adoption is required to seek FEMA hazard mitigation grants and projects are cost‑shared with FEMA (75%) and the local jurisdiction (25%) if the district chooses to opt into a specific project.
County emergency‑management staff briefed the Cumberland County School Board on the countywide hazard mitigation plan that FEMA requires to qualify for mitigation grants.
An official explained the plan is a living, FEMA‑approved document that each local jurisdiction in the county must adopt to be eligible to apply for hazard mitigation grant funds. "This is a FEMA approved plan that has to be in place in order to seek hazard mitigation grant funds," the official said during the presentation.
Staff clarified that adopting the plan does not obligate the school district to fund projects immediately. Instead, project participation is voluntary: if the district opts into a specific mitigation project (for example, building a storm shelter or generator), FEMA typically covers 75% of eligible project costs and the local jurisdiction is responsible for a 25% match.
Board members asked about access to the mitigation plan and whether it is publicly available. Staff said portions of the plan are redacted for security reasons and that full copies can be provided on request in controlled form; the plan is updated every five years.
No board action was taken; staff will place a formal resolution on an upcoming agenda for the board to adopt the plan if it chooses.
