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Parish seeks FEMA hazard‑mitigation amendment to fully fund health‑unit elevation
Summary
Staff told the jury it received a hazard‑mitigation grant to elevate the Cameron health unit (awarded at 90% federal/10% local) and has applied for a global match amendment that could make the elevation 100% federally funded; staff asked the jury to accept the grant and give direction on elevating and repairing the facility.
Parish staff updated the Police Jury on plans to elevate and repair the Cameron Parish health unit after repeated flood damage. Staff said the parish applied for and received a hazard‑mitigation grant initially obligated at 90% federal and 10% local share; an amendment requesting a 100% federal global match has been submitted and a decision is expected in roughly six to eight weeks.
S15 told jurors that if the 100% federal match is approved the parish could elevate the building at no local cost for construction; FEMA Public Assistance (PW) funds and insurance proceeds are also available to restore the building to pre‑loss condition. Staff estimated elevation work could be completed in three to four months after procurement and that standard public bidding and procurement rules will apply.
Dr. Capenal (S11), regional health director for the five‑parish region, described current service limitations: clinics are operating from a small office space in the police‑jury building and through pop‑up clinics at Head Start sites in Grand Lake and Hackberry providing WIC and immunizations; she said permanent exam rooms, a modest lobby and at least two exam rooms are needed to restore pre‑Laura services such as family planning and behavioral‑health partnerships.
Jurors discussed insurance implications, ongoing operating costs (staff said the parish tax renewal yields roughly $600,000 annually when fully collected), and the prospect of using some building space for the parish coroner and flexible exam rooms to serve prisoners and the public. Staff noted elevation may reduce flood insurance premiums but that parish litigation with FEMA over Risk Rating 2 remains pending and could affect future rates.
Why it matters: restoring a permanent, elevated health unit would restore core public‑health services to Cameron residents, reduce transport costs for prisoner medical care and may lower future flood premiums if FEMA rating changes.
Staff asked the jury to formally accept the grant and give direction on whether to proceed with elevation and repairs; no formal vote occurred at the agenda meeting.
