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Montreat approves budget move, authorizes RFP for disaster-management assistance after Hurricane Helene
Summary
The Town of Montreat unanimously approved a budget amendment to move Hurricane Helene donations, loan proceeds and insurance funds into a recovery fund and authorized the town manager to issue an RFP for a disaster-management firm to manage FEMA public-assistance claims, citing limited staff capacity and the need to maximize reimbursements.
The Town of Montreat Board of Commissioners on Nov. 14 unanimously approved a budget amendment to centralize Hurricane Helene recovery funds and authorized the town manager to solicit proposals from disaster-management firms to handle FEMA public-assistance work.
Town Manager Savannah Parrish told the board the amendment will move private donations totaling $193,640, a $100,000 loan originally reserved for the Texas Road Pedestrian Bridge Project and a $25,000 Town Hall flood-insurance payment into Fund 29 so the money can be used for storm recovery. Mayor Pro Tem Mason Blake moved to approve the amendment; Commissioner Kitty Fouche seconded and the motion carried 5–0.
The action follows widespread storm damage. “The creek is wider and deeper and probably won’t ever look the same again,” Mayor Tim Helms said while describing bridge and creek impacts from Hurricane Helene. Staff reported most bridges are currently in acceptable condition but identified the Arbor Lane bridge as needing replacement.
Parrish asked the board to authorize an RFP for a disaster-management company to manage the FEMA public-assistance grant process. She said the firm would align expenditures with appropriate reimbursement categories and could charge 5% of total reimbursement (an hourly option was noted in the packet). Mayor Pro Tem Blake moved to authorize Parrish to issue the RFP; Commissioner Jane Alexander seconded and the motion carried 5–0.
Parrish also updated the board on operational and logistics matters: she announced a Dec. 3 bulk pickup, reminded residents to place vegetative hurricane debris at the right-of-way (not in roadways) and said the Welch Field pile is reserved for public property and rights-of-way debris that a FEMA-approved contractor will chip and remove. She reported that state-required water tests have passed and the water system is back to full operating capacity.
The board also approved Proclamation #24-11-001 honoring Public Works and Montreat Police Department employees for storm-response efforts; Commissioner Grant Dasher moved the proclamation, Tom Widmer seconded and the motion carried 5–0. Parrish suggested providing copies to each employee.
Next steps: staff will issue the RFP if the procurement proceeds as authorized and will return to the board with bids and a recommendation; Parrish said she will follow up on a discrepancy noted in the water-department report about linear feet of water line replaced.
