Subject:
Title
Grant funding agreement with the State of Florida Division of Emergency Management regarding a Federal Emergency Management Agency public assistance grant for disaster relief funding associated with Hurricane Idalia.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the federally funded sub-award and grant agreement with the State of Florida, Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) for reimbursement through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for public safety costs related to the response to and damage from Hurricane Idalia.
• Execution of this grant funding agreement with the FDEM is necessary for the State to fund eligible disaster relief costs.
• As of January 23, 2024, the County expects to expend approximately $2,600,000.00 on Hurricane Idalia emergency response, resident sheltering, and debris cleanup and expects to expend approximately $105,000.00 on permanent facility repairs.
• The County will continue to utilize FEMA funding for reimbursement of emergency response and permanent repair activities.
• Approximately $2,600,000.00 of these reimbursable funds apply to Fiscal Year (FY) 2023, while $105,000.00 of permanent work expenditures apply to FY24.
Authorize the Chairman to sign the agreement.
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Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
2.2 Provide planning, coordination, prevention, and protective services to ensure a safe and secure community
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and our Customers
5.2 Be responsible stewards of the public’s resources
Summary:
Summary
Execution of the attached Grant Funding Agreement with the State of Florida, Division of Emergency Management is necessary to receive reimbursement for disaster-related costs associated with Hurricane Idalia.
Body
Background Information:
In August 2023, Hurricane Idalia made landfall in Northwest Florida. While Pinellas County was not directly hit by this storm, the County incurred significant costs preparing for what was forecast to be a major Category Four hurricane making landfall in the Tampa Bay Area as well as damage from high winds and heavy rainfall. As a result, Pinellas County submitted a Request for Public Assistance to the State of Florida and FEMA for reimbursement of disaster-related costs.
FEMA’s Public Assistance program is a federal grant to aid state and local governments in returning a disaster area to pre‐disaster conditions. For this disaster, FEMA is reimbursing emergency protective measures and debris cleanup at a 100% federal cost share for the first 120 days of the incident period; this period covers the entirety of the County’s emergency protective measures costs and debris cleanup activity. Additionally, a minimum of 75.0% of eligible cost is provided by FEMA and 12.5% by the State to primarily address the repair and restoration of public facilities and infrastructure which have been damaged or destroyed, or the restoration of services which were negatively impacted.
Hurricane Idalia was declared a State emergency by the Governor of Florida on August 26, 2023, and a federal disaster by the President of the United States on August 31, 2023.
Fiscal Impact:
An estimated $2.705M has been identified as damages with the State and FEMA. The actual dollar amount will be determined upon review and approval of eligible storm costs by FEMA. The County can anticipate reimbursement of 100% for approximately $2.6M in emergency protective measures and debris costs, and 87.5% of approximately $105,000 of eligible permanent repair expenses between FEMA and the State.
Impacted funds are: General Fund ($2,192,000), Emergency Medical Services ($16,300), Building Services ($25,950), Airport Revenue and Operating ($33,000), Tourist Development Council ($590), Solid Waste Revenue & Operating ($21,434), Water Revenue & Operating ($62,087), and Sewer Revenue & Operating ($108,665).
Staff Member Responsible:
Daniel Schoel, Disaster Cost Recovery Coordinator, Office of Management & Budget
Chris Rose, Director, Office of Management & Budget
Partners:
State of Florida, Division of Emergency Management
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Attachments:
Hurricane Idalia Subgrant Granicus Review
DR-4734 Subgrant Agreement Z3994
DR-4734 Federal Declaration
DR-4734 Hurricane Idalia Request for Public Assistance RPA7B87FB
Subgrantee Risk Assessment Questionnaire
Funding Agreement Applicant Instructions
Vendor Registration Instructions