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Emergency Management director warns EMPG/SHSP grant delays could leave parish to cover $53,000 salary
Summary
Brandon Miguez, Emergency Management Director, told the finance committee the EMPG federal grant covers a position salary of about $53,000; ongoing FEMA/Federal litigation and state timing mean 2025 grant funds have not been received and the parish may need to backfill the salary if funds do not arrive.
Brandon Miguez, Emergency Management Director for Iberia Parish, told the Special Finance Committee the parish is monitoring uncertainty around EMPG (FEMA) and SHSP (state homeland security) grants. “That grant is $53,000; if it doesn't come in, we gotta start looking for $53,000,” Miguez said, explaining EMPG currently funds a staff salary and that delayed federal or state drawdowns would create an immediate budget gap for the Emergency Management office.
Miguez said the parish is also seeing reductions in SHSP funding compared with years past and that roughly 35% of SHSP allocations are passed through to law enforcement per current practice; SHSP has historically funded equipment such as radios and communications (he mentioned Starlink as an example of equipment these funds sometimes buy).
Finance staff said they are watching federal drawdowns closely and will move a salary to the general fund if grant revenue is delayed. Miguez recommended the parish gradually wean essential staff salaries away from grant lines to reduce exposure to federal/state grant timing risks.
Because no formal actions were taken in the informational meeting, staff will present budget options in a future session if grant revenues remain uncertain.
