- November 7, 2024
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The Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied — at least, for now — Flagler County's request to be reimbursed for Hurricane Matthew debris removal performed in private communities like Grand Haven.
"We have been denied at this point — as we've heard verbally; we've not received a letter yet from a reporting officer from FEMA — but we're anticipating receiving that this week some time," Flagler County Public Safety Emergency Manager Steve Garten told the County Commission at a Feb. 6 County Commission workshop.
The county spent about $7 million on debris removal countywide, Garten said. About $1.1 million of that money was spent inside private communities. Those communities got only one "pass" of debris removal, while the rest of the county got three, because the county was told after that initial pass that FEMA wouldn't reimburse the county for debris removal in those communities.
There's also another problem, County Administrator Craig Coffey said. The state, which usually splits with the county whatever costs remain after FEMA reimbursement, has denied its potion, "and said it's all on the county," he said.
"We've taken the approach that those people pay for garbage out in front of their house, whether it's a private or public street; they are homeowners just like everybody else, they pay taxes and stuff to the state, why they'd be treated differently is beyond me," Coffey said.
The county can file an appeal with FEMA once it receives the FEMA denial in writing, and will have 60 days to do so, Garten said.
Meanwhile, he said, the verbal denial came early — the county is still waiting on invoicing from its contractors for details on exactly where the work was done, and usually would have 180 days to put in its request, including those details — and the reason for that isn't clear to county officials.
"I've asked them for additional time, because we don't have that paperwork yet," Garten said. "We're given six months, actually 180 days, to provide that information, and they're basically denying us well before that time frame ... based on a determination being made by somebody or someonee that — I don't know. I not know why they're doing it. But obviously we'll do that appeal process to fight that."
It's still not clear to what extent the county will be reimbursed for the other $5.9 million worth of debris cleanup. Although the bulk will likely be covered by state and federal agencies, Coffey said, "I wouldn’t be surprised if we’re going to be out another million."
