Title:
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Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a Resolution implementing Budget Amendment Request (BAR) #26-032 in the General Fund to transfer $603,726 from reserves for Hurricane Milton shelter expenses and FEMA cost recovery. Countywide (Timothy Jecks, Management & Budget Director) - Requesting Department: Management and Budget
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Division:
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Management and Budget
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Authorized By:
Timothy Jecks, Management & Budget Director
Contact/Phone Number:
Davison Heriot/407-665-7177
Background:
On October 9, 2024, Hurricane Milton made landfall near Siesta Key as a Category 3 Hurricane, bringing strong winds, torrential rainfall, flooding, and power outages across Seminole County. Initial tracks indicated a path mirroring the I-4 corridor. On Sunday, October 6th, a Local State of Emergency was declared - simultaneously, the Emergency Operations Center was activated, and plans to open ten evacuation shelters began to be executed in coordination with many partner agencies. BAR 26-032 appropriates $603,726 to reimburse the Seminole County School Board for costs incurred in operating emergency shelters during Hurricane Milton and to provide additional funding for FEMA cost recovery services.
During Hurricane Milton, eight schools were activated as emergency shelters. The Seminole County School Board provided staffing at each school for shelter management, food services, custodial services, and facility support to meet residents' needs during the hurricane. Additionally, the School Board provided transportation to the shelters for residents using its bus fleet. The reimbursement request totals $451,726. These costs are included in our request to FEMA for Public Assistance, and we anticipate 100 percent reimbursement.
Through the FEMA Public Assistance program, funding is provided to State, Local, territorial, and tribal agencies for recovery from presidentially declared events. The PA program reimburses 5% for the management costs needed to comply with the program requirements. This BAR appropriates an additional $152,000 for disaster cost recovery services. This additional funding is necessary due to FEMA changes in how the program is administered. These changes have placed significant scrutiny on all projects, particularly major infrastructure projects such as the Howell Creek Weir repair and mitigation project and the DeLeon Street repair and mitigation project. Other areas receiving increased scrutiny include debris projects and projects that include force account labor.
Recently, the County has successfully completed closeout activities for Hurricane Dorian and the COVID-19 pandemic response. One remaining Hurricane Irma project is awaiting final payment before closing out. The FEMA cost recovery service expense is expected to be reimbursed through each event’s management cost allocation.
General Fund Reserves are currently budgeted at $78.4 million.
Requested Action:
Staff requests the Board approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a Resolution implementing Budget Amendment Request (BAR) #26-032 in the General Fund to transfer $603,726 from reserves for Hurricane Milton shelter expenses and FEMA cost recovery.