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 Debby.
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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 Debby.
• Execution of this grant funding agreement with the FDEM is necessary for the State to fund eligible disaster relief costs.
• As of October 1st, 2024, the County has expended $2,623.10 in overtime payroll costs, $160,316.99 in supplies, contracts, and equipment, and $70,580.00 for a Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Chevrolet Tahoe, which was destroyed by floodwaters, totaling $233,520.09 These expenditures originated from the contingency reserves, and all reimbursement will be returned to the same reserves.
• The County will continue to utilize FEMA funding for reimbursement of emergency response.
• All funds expended during this emergency response apply to Fiscal Year 2024.
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 Debby.
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Background Information:
In August 2024, Hurricane Debby made landfall in Northwest Florida. While Pinellas County was not directly hit by this storm, the County costs preparing for and responding to the impacts resulting from heavy rain bands, coastal flooding, and increased winds. 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 75% of eligible emergency protective measure activity and equipment replacement costs, with an additional 12.5% being provided by the State of Florida.
Hurricane Debby was declared a State emergency by the Governor of Florida on August 1st, 2024, and a federal disaster by the President of the United States on August 3rd, 2024.
Fiscal Impact:
An estimated $233,520.09 has been identified as expenditures 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 87.5% for eligible costs expended by the County during this disaster.
Impacted funds are: General Fund ($144,007.26), Water ($3,694.14), Sewer ($84,982.89), Solid Waste ($243.80), and Building ($592.00).
Staff Member Responsible:
Chris Rose, Director, Office of Management & Budget
Daniel Schoel, Disaster Cost Recovery Coordinator, Office of Management & Budget
Partners:
State of Florida, Division of Emergency Management
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Attachments:
SR DR 4806 FL Pinellas County -Z4288-Funding Agreement
OMB Granicus Review 24-2029A Hurricane Debby Subgrant Agreement
DR-4806 Amendment 5