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Council approves first reading to move emergency preparedness to county supervisor
Summary
The council approved first reading of Ordinance 2024-09 to transfer authority for emergency preparedness — including personnel and budget authority — from the sheriff’s office to the county supervisor, citing clearer responsibility for FEMA reimbursements; three readings are required for final adoption.
Williamsburg County Council approved the first reading of Ordinance 2024-09, which would transfer authority, control, personnel, equipment and budget authority for the county’s emergency preparedness function from the sheriff’s office to the office of the county supervisor, effective Jan. 1, 2025.
An unidentified speaker introducing the ordinance said the transfer is intended to make responsibility for paperwork and FEMA reimbursements clearer: "Emergency preparedness handles all of our FEMA stuff," the speaker said, adding that consolidating authority under the supervisor’s office will align the staff who prepare reimbursement paperwork with the officials who must approve it.
Council members asked about accountability and whether the transfer would change elected officials’ salaries. Attorney Schuler responded that state law prevents reducing an elected official’s salary once set for the term, and the supervisor confirmed the salary situation will not change. The supervisor and the sheriff reportedly were consulted and are in agreement, the introducer said.
Why it matters: moving emergency-preparedness authority shifts operational control for disaster response and official responsibility for FEMA reimbursement paperwork. The change could affect departmental reporting lines and how the county manages post-disaster reimbursements.
Next steps: the ordinance passed first reading by voice vote and will require two additional readings and a final vote to complete the transfer; the council did not adopt implementing language or budget reallocation details in the first reading.
