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Cooke County accepts FEMA safe-room rebate program and authorizes judge to sign
Summary
Cooke County accepted a FEMA-funded safe-room rebate program that provides homeowners up to 50% of installation costs (up to $3,000 per safe room) and authorized the county judge to sign award documents; commissioners also discussed program administration and modest funds for project management and grant administration.
Cooke County Commissioners on May 26 accepted a FEMA safe‑room rebate award and authorized the county judge to sign the acceptance documents.
County staff described the program as a rebate that covers 50% of the installation cost for eligible safe rooms, up to $3,000 per safe room, and requires certification by the National Storm Shelter Association and installation by licensed vendors in accordance with FEMA P‑361 and ICC standards. "This rebate program will be ... providing homeowners with partial funding, 50% of the total cost, up to $3,000 for the installation of a tornado shelter or safe room," a county presenter said.
Officials clarified that the program is a rebate: homeowners pay vendors up front and later seek reimbursement from the county, which will seek reimbursement from the state/FEMA. Staff noted administrative details: the award includes modest set‑asides for project management and subrecipient management (the presenters referenced roughly $4,000 for project management and a 5% subrecipient management set‑aside). County staff and emergency-management officials also warned of administrative burdens and the need to educate homeowners so they choose qualified vendors and meet the program checklist, and discussed options for prorating the monitoring and handling limited funds if demand exceeds availability.
The court voted 5-0 to accept the award and to authorize the county judge to sign the documents. Staff said they will manage applicant intake, inspections and reimbursements under the program rules and will provide program materials to educate homeowners about eligibility and required certifications.
Next steps: staff will finalize program materials, set up the reimbursement process, and implement the application and inspection process outlined in the award documents.
