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Council adopts Bell County hazard-mitigation plan and readies fire-mitigation funding
Summary
Council adopted a county hazard mitigation plan to unlock grant eligibility, discussed the plan's roughly $5 million implementation estimate and directed staff to return with budget amendments for near-term fire-mitigation steps; FEMA reimbursement of about $675,000 for debris was also reported.
The Morgans Point Resort City Council voted to adopt Bell County's hazard mitigation plan, a document the city participated in developing with contractors over the past 14 months. Mayor (Speaker 5) said the plan is primarily a framework: adopting it does not commit the city to immediate expenditures but makes the city eligible to apply for hazard-mitigation grants.
One councilmember noted an implementation estimate of about "$5,000,000" in the plan that would be implemented over 24 months; the mayor and staff emphasized that any actual spending would require subsequent council fiscal approval. Council agreed the plan will strengthen applications for outside funding and provide a prioritized list of projects for future capital planning.
Staff also reported FEMA notification of approximately $675,000 in reimbursements for debris removal (with the remaining 25% coming from the Texas Division of Emergency Management). Separately, staff described a roughly 5,000-cubic-yard stockpile of wood chips that is not FEMA-eligible and must be moved away from tree lines to reduce fire risk. Staff said they will pursue companies to take the stockpile, consider hauling it to the Temple landfill only as a last resort, and will bring a budget amendment on May 27 to fund a broader fire-mitigation program. An ADA-compliant pool lift estimated at about $8,000 was also noted as a forthcoming purchase.
