Title
a. Receive a presentation from the Department of Emergency Management on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance Program; and
b. Direct the County Administrator’s Office to create a Disaster Finance Working Group to provide policy recommendations on financial management during disasters and post-disaster financial recovery; and
c. Provide other direction to staff as appropriate.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive a presentation from the Department of Emergency Management on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance Program; and
b. Direct the County Administrator’s Office to create a Disaster Finance Working Group to provide policy recommendations on financial management during disasters and post-disaster financial recovery; and
c. Provide other direction to staff as appropriate.
SUMMARY:
The County of Monterey has experienced several natural disaster events in recent years resulting in significant response costs and damage to infrastructure. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance (PA) Program provides funds to states and local governments for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and the repair or replacement of public buildings and infrastructure. While the FEMA PA Program provides vital aid to support response and recovery efforts from major disasters, the application process and determination of eligible funds is oftentimes complex and difficult to navigate, requiring a large investment of County resources.
DISCUSSION:
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance (PA) disaster reimbursement process is complex and requires coordination among multiple intergovernmental agencies. The County faces several significant challenges throughout this process, which must be addressed to ensure timely and accurate reimbursements. There is a disparity between available County resources and the capacity needed t...
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