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Office of Resilience asks for mitigation funds, BridgeBox monitoring and staffing to manage HUD and CDBG recovery work
Summary
Chief Duncan told the committee the Office of Resilience requests recurring and nonrecurring resources to support mitigation projects, BridgeBox water sensors, staff retention, and systems-of-record to manage large HUD/CDBG disaster awards and rapid‑repair programs following Hurricane Helene.
Chief Duncan, director of the state Office of Resilience, told the subcommittee the agency seeks funding to convert federal projects into lasting mitigation, expand sensor monitoring, and stabilize staffing and systems to manage large disaster grants.
Why it matters: The Office is overseeing sizeable HUD and CDBG allocations tied to Hurricane Helene recovery and a broader mitigation pipeline; the agency argued for state capacity to plan, monitor and accelerate projects that protect vulnerable communities.
Duncan listed recent accomplishments (seven watershed coordinators hired, coordination on a 62,000‑acre conservation easement and loans to partners) and detailed disaster grants: $22,000,000 for disaster case management and a reported $150,000,000 CDBG allocation to repair or replace approximately 700 homes for low‑ and moderate‑income residents across designated counties. He said rapid repair state funds ($30,000,000) cover 13 counties while CDBG funds will cover mitigation projects and a notice for applications closes Jan. 30.
Duncan requested recurring mitigation funds ($15,000,000) and $15,000,000 nonrecurring, $2,400,000 for bridge‑mounted sensors ('BridgeBox') to measure water depth, speed and flow for early warning, and $425,000/year plus maintenance for a system‑of‑record to track grant activity. He noted partners such as Clemson University for sensor monitoring and described contract, security and building‑move costs related to relocating into state property.
On reserve authority, Duncan asked for a proviso allowing activation of reserve funds with gubernatorial and legislative leadership approval when state losses exceed $10,000,000 (he said federal thresholds may change and asked for flexibility). The agency also requested authority to retain a share of indirect cost recoveries to reinvest in program delivery.
What's next: Committee members asked for details on sensor operations and the financial impacts of charging indirect costs to federal grants; Duncan agreed to provide additional documentation.
