Subject:
Title
Hurricane Irma Grant Funding Agreement with the State of Florida, Division of Emergency Management for the Federal Emergency Management Agency Public Assistance Grant. (Companion to Item No. 10)
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approve the Grant Funding Agreement with the State of Florida, Division of Emergency Management for reimbursement through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of disaster-related costs associated with Hurricane Irma.
Chairman to sign agreement (Z0141).
Body
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:
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 Irma.
Background Information:
In September 2017, Hurricane Irma made landfall in Florida. As a result, the County exhausted resources and suffered significant damage from high winds and heavy rainfall. Following impact, the 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. A minimum reimbursement 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, and the restoration of services which were negatively impacted.
The remaining 12.5% is the responsibility of the County as local matching funds.
During Hurricane Irma, special considerations were made and some Categories of Work time periods received a higher federal cost share than the traditional cost share percentages. Hurricane Irma was declared a state emergency on Sunday, September 10, 2017. The incident period for reimbursement of disaster-related costs began Monday, September 04, 2017.
Fiscal Impact:
As of August 27, an estimated $27.9M has been identified as damages. The final dollar amount will be determined upon review and approval of eligible storm costs by FEMA. During review, additional event-related expenditures may be discovered. A breakdown of current estimates has been identified in the attached file titled “Irma Project Cost Estimates”.
The County can anticipate a minimum reimbursement of 87.5% for eligible disaster expenses between FEMA and the State. The breakdown of costs for each obligated project is reflected in the contract agreement “Attachment A - Budget and Project List”. As new projects are obligated, an amendment to the existing grant agreement must take place in order to request reimbursement of newly obligated funds.
This agreement is to obligate $334,339.10. Of this amount, a reimbursement of $292,546.72 is anticipated (75.0% federal cost share and 12.5% state cost share) for permanent work repairs to the Belleair Causeway boat docks. The County has a local match of 12.5% for a total of $41,792.38. This work impacts the General Fund. Work is expected to be completed by September 30.
Reimbursements to the fund consistent with Attachment 3 - Irma Project Cost Estimates were anticipated during the development of the Fiscal Year 2019 Tentative Budget.
Staff Member Responsible:
Fredricka Collins, Budget & Financial Management Analyst, Office of Management & Budget
Partners:
State of Florida, Division of Emergency Management
Federal Emergency Management Administration
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - Funding Agreement Z0141
Attachment 2 - Attachment A Budget and Project List
Attachment 3 - Irma Project Cost Estimates
Attachment 4 - Request for Public Assistance - RPAD919FA 9.20.17