Jenkins council approves hiring ERCS to manage FEMA storm-recovery compliance

The Jenkins City Council on March 3 approved contracting with ERCS to assist the city with flood-damage assessments, bid solicitation and FEMA compliance, saying the firm’s expertise could reduce the risk of having to return federal funds.

Council leadership described ERCS’s role as primarily ensuring compliance with FEMA rules rather than performing all field repairs. The chair told the council ERCS will advertise for bids and find contractors on the city’s behalf; council staff said ERCS’s fees are ultimately paid through FEMA programs. The chair also said he and the city attorney had reviewed the contract and proposed a change to limit the city’s responsibility only to items not covered by FEMA.

A motion to hire ERCS under a state master contract was made, seconded and approved on a voice vote. No individual vote tallies or mover/second names were recorded in the public transcript.

Council members said the move followed recent storms that washed sediment and rocks onto roads and damaged shoulders. Staff reported ERCS personnel had been in town conducting preliminary damage assessments and that two crews had worked on several roads. Officials emphasized the importance of documentation and compliance to avoid federal "clawbacks" where FEMA might seek repayment if procedures were not followed.

Staff also briefed the council on broader recovery and capital work: the city is pursuing 15 projects related to recent damage and other improvements, with an estimated combined value of about $12,106,272. Several projects are already procured or submitted; one project (an ADA renovation at City Hall) was awaiting contractor mobilization and material delivery.

The council’s action allows staff to finalize and sign the ERCS contract so the firm can proceed with FEMA coordination and contractor procurement.