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Commissioners discuss Beulah and Rye flood recovery, demo permits and potential fee waivers
Summary
Commissioners reported on flood damage in Beulah and Rye, thanked responders and volunteers, discussed permitting and demo‑fee issues (about 117 permits pulled so far), and noted coordination with United Way and USDA emergency watershed protection that guarantees 75% reimbursement for sponsor‑approved projects.
Commissioners used their comment period to update the public on flood recovery in Beulah and Rye. Chair Zach Swearingen and Commissioner Paula McPheeers thanked federal and local partners — including Congressman Hurd, the sheriff's office, deputies, fire chiefs and volunteer organizations — for response and recovery work.
Swearingen and other commissioners discussed demolition permits and permit fees tied to debris removal after the fires and flooding. Swearingen said "we've had a 117 permits pulled so far" and described options for reimbursing permit fees via insurance or voluntary organizations (VOADs); he said the county's building department has a reimbursement form and that waiving fees is under consideration.
Commissioner comments stressed public safety and proper asbestos‑safe debris removal. One commissioner cautioned that waiving the permit would not protect property owners later (e.g., buyers) unless the process was on record. Commissioners also reported engagement with United Way and a local recovery board to manage donations and long‑term recovery, and highlighted that the USDA's Emergency Watershed Protection program can provide projects with 75% reimbursement if the county sponsors them.
Officials scheduled a special meeting dedicated to the fire response and confirmed the next regular meeting date.
