Village staff reports $44,000 deposited and expects roughly $2.69 million in FEMA debris reimbursement

Village staff told the Chatham Village Board on July 6 that the village has received $44,000 in initial FEMA deposits related to the recent disaster and expects a multi-million-dollar debris-removal reimbursement currently in final review.

"We have received 44,000 so far that been deposited into our accounts," staff member Megan said, adding that $5,000 went to the general fund, $22,000 went to the water fund and the remainder was allocated to the electric fund. She said debris-removal reimbursement (Category A) is in final review and "should hopefully get $2,694,000 back" once the review is complete.

Megan said the $250,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application did not complete processing before the fiscal year ended and the award will be rolled over; staff expects state notification and award activity later in July. For costs the village believes insurance should have covered, Megan said staff has "reached out to the state to see what we need to do to try to request those funds that the insurance did not cover." She said the village was in the appeals/congressional-review stage for part of the claim and that reimbursements are being processed in phases.

Board members asked for clarification about timing and proportions; staff said much of the remaining reimbursement is under Congressional review and that the village will initially receive approximately 75% of what it submitted while appeals continue for final categories. Megan credited staff preparedness for the speed of early reimbursements.

The board did not provide complete documentation or a final schedule for remaining disbursements during the meeting. Staff said they will notify the board when formal award letters and final reimbursement amounts are received.