Lake chair assured $7.8M FEMA reimbursement is on the way
Lake County officials’ frustration with delays in obtaining millions of dollars in federal reimbursement for Hurricane Irma cleanup efforts should be coming to an end.
During a visit last week to Washington, D.C., County Commission Chairwoman Leslie Campione said she learned the cash — deemed crucial to budget planning for the upcoming fiscal year — will be forthcoming shortly.
After meeting with federal lawmakers and key agency staffers “all indications are that the bulk of the $7.8 million in funding owed to Lake County from Hurricane Irma recovery are likely to be received by the end of August,” she said in a written statement.
Last month, County Manager Jeff Cole told commissioners “the goalposts keep being moved on us” regarding receiving final clearance for release of the Federal Emergency Management Agency money.
He said the agency was doing more investigation into Lake’s accounting of cleanup costs from the September 2017 hurricane and that the reimbursement wouldn’t come through until receiving congressional approval.
The holdup with FEMA reimbursement has caused uncertainty with budget planning. Today, commissioners are due to set the tentative tax rate for fiscal year 2019-20, which starts Oct. 1.
Campione called for holding the line on the tax rate, which is about $5.12 for each $1,000 of taxable value, “while funding high priority needs and projects, as well as replenishing our reserves, which were severely depleted during Hurricane Irma. Strengthening our reserves will allow us to be better prepared for future emergencies.”
The county spent about $10 million on recovery in the aftermath of Irma, which caused an estimated $41 million in damage including to more than 3,200 structures.
“During this trip, Lake County also had the opportunity to discuss potential federal partnerships on several additional high priorities, including a homeless shelter, transportation funding, and grants to support public safety initiatives,” said Campione, who was accompanied on the Washington foray by Cole.