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Hardee County to return $684,000 after overestimate on Hurricane Milton debris removal
Summary
General Services Director Lori Ayers said Hardee County estimated $3.77 million in debris-removal costs for Hurricane Milton, received an expedited FEMA disbursement of $1.885 million and spent about $1.2 million, leaving about $684,000 to return to FEMA.
Lori Ayers, Hardee Countys General Services Director, told the county commission the FEMA expedited Category A debris-removal program provides 50% of estimated eligible costs to allow rapid mobilization after a hurricane. For Hurricane Milton, Hardee County estimated $3,770,000 in debris-removal costs and received an expedited payment of $1,885,000.
Ayers told the board that once final accounting is complete, the county spent about $1,200,000 on removal work and therefore will return roughly $684,000 to FEMA because the expedited disbursement exceeded final eligible expenses.
"So we estimated 3,700,000.0. We received 1,800,000.0. However, after all of this dust settles, we only spent 1,200,000.0. So that means that we still have FEMA funds in the amount of 684,000, which is required to be sent back to FEMA," Ayers said.
A staff member who assisted with the cost estimate said the county used a conservative estimate (about 75% of their Hurricane Ian debris collection) to plan mobilization and that the expedited payment aided cash flow for cleanup operations. Ayers said the expedited funds are intended to prevent further disaster damage by clearing debris quickly.
The commissioners asked clarifying questions and thanked staff for the prompt explanation; no further action was required at the Jan. 15 meeting.
