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Hood River County says 642 properties may be affected by FEMA map updates; audit findings shrink after grants restructuring
Summary
Administrator Williams told the Board that FEMA flood-hazard map updates will affect about 642 property owners; the county has begun public-notification planning and will collect appeals. Williams also said grants-management protocol changes and hiring a Grants Program Manager cut audit findings from 10 to 3, with one federal grants item still being addressed.
Hood River County Administrator Williams reported on several operational matters during the Dec. 16 business meeting.
FEMA flood maps: Williams told the Board staff have identified 642 property owners who will be affected by updated FEMA flood-hazard maps. Community Development Director Eric Walker and county staff are coordinating with FEMA on mapping corrections, preparing public notifications, and gathering appeals ahead of FEMA’s open house planned for February. Williams said notification mailings will go out in late January and early February and that the county will assist property owners with appeals to FEMA as appropriate.
Grants and audit: Williams credited Budget & Finance Director Sheri Patterson for reorganizing grants protocols; the county’s audit findings have dropped from 10 to 3 since a Grants Program Manager was hired and new processes were implemented. One outstanding audit finding related to federal grants remains under mitigation, and the county has begun a space-needs assessment across departments.
Economic and program reports: Commissioners reported regional board activity and data. Commissioner Moretti summarized her attendance at regional housing and health boards. Commissioner Babitz shared Datafy-derived visitation estimates for Post Canyon — 202,000 “use days,” about 57% local and 43% visitors, with visitors largely from in-state; he cautioned the proprietary data has limitations because it tracks only mobile devices that permit data collection. Babitz also noted Federal Reserve county GDP estimates that showed a spike in certain agricultural outputs for Hood River County pending more complete source data.
Public works and projects: Commissioner Muenzer reported on meetings with Public Works Director Cori Wiessner about road complaints, updates on Mt. Hood Town Hall electrical upgrades and a solar grant, and Cascade Locks fire staffing needs. Commissioner Babitz noted the Mitchell Point Tunnel ribbon cutting and said remaining work (grouting, railings, capstone concrete) is expected to finish in February.
The Board did not take formal action on these operational reports but asked staff to continue outreach and return with follow-up where necessary.
