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Escambia County Asks Scott For More State Money For Recent Flood And Hurricane Ivan
May 20, 2014
Commission Chairman Lumon May has signed two letters to be sent to Florida Governor Rick Scott asking for additional financial relief related to two disasters experienced by Escambia County nearly a decade apart.
In the first letter, May requested that the State of Florida’s Division of Emergency Management prioritize and complete a reconciliation of all projects related to Hurricane Ivan, which struck the County in September 2004 causing approximately $226 million in damages. Ten years later, the State of Florida still holds more than $4 million in monies owed to Escambia County.
Officials said by closing out all projects related to Hurricane Ivan and releasing the funds, the county would benefit from a multi-million dollar cash flow into its general fund.
In a second letter to the Governor’s Office, C May has requested that the State of Florida cover the local match required under the Federal Emergency Management’s (FEMA) declaration of Public Assistance related to the April 29 flood event.
A FEMA Public Assistance declaration provides aid to state or local governments to pay part of the costs of rebuilding a community’s damaged infrastructure. Generally, under public assistance programs the Federal government pays for 75 percent of the approved project costs, while the state and local governments each pay 12.5 percent. If the Governor honors May’s request, the County would be released from its 12.5 percent obligation.
Pictured top: Gov. Rick Scott (center) toured flooding damage in Pensacola on May 8 along with local leaders including Mayor Ashton Hayward (left) and Senate President Don Gaetz (right). NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge. Inset: Escambia County Commissioner Chairman Lumon May.
Comments
4 Responses to “Escambia County Asks Scott For More State Money For Recent Flood And Hurricane Ivan”
How much of the disaster money will go to work on the Eleven Mile Creek that overflowed its banks and ruined the landscape of many residents’ homes it bordered. Landscaping that was not covered by FEMA nor insurance, because it was declared flooding, for which no insurance was allegedly needed because this was supposed to be a “no flood” zone that didn’t need flood insurance? No help from FEMA, the Northwest Florida Water Management for the Escambia River tributaries either. Where does the $$ go, if not for those important items???
What’s interesting is that the REO properties that are rarely, if ever, maintained are eligible for FEMA funds. Most of these properties were damaged before the flood due to bank neglect, but they are requesting the money anyway.
How can Escambia County ask for more money when they are incorrectly reporting all roadside debris pickup is complete? The roadside pickup is NOT finished and Escambia County residents are in a desperate need of assistance. Politics and insurance companies want to put this to bed.
Why, after nearly 10 years since Hurricane Ivan, would the State of Florida continue to hold $4 Million that is intended for Escambia Co.?
Why has this not been brought up before now?
Florida has had 3 governors since 2004:
Jeb Bush
Charlie Crist
Rick Scott
Which of them should have first seen that the $4,000,000 was sent, without hesitation, to Escambia County?