How FEMA Public Assistance works for DR‑4935: cost share, categories and timelines

Reagan Middleton of the Texas Division of Emergency Management walked the Commissioner Court through FEMA Public Assistance fundamentals for DR‑4935: who can apply, what facilities and work are eligible, and how funding flows. He said the federal cost share is typically 75% with a 25% local or private nonprofit match, and that FEMA funds flow to the state as the primary recipient and then to eligible subrecipients for reimbursement.

Middleton explained FEMA distinguishes emergency work (Categories A–B, e.g., debris removal and emergency protective measures) and permanent work (Categories C–G, e.g., roads, water control, buildings, utilities and parks). He noted completion windows: emergency work is initially set at six months; permanent work is set at 18 months, and that projects are reimbursed to restore facilities to pre‑disaster design capacity, not to improve them beyond previous condition.

The presentation covered administrative categories as well: Category I (building‑code/floodplain enforcement funding limited to 180 days after declaration) and Category Z (an additional 5% to cover grant administration). Middleton also explained donated resources (Category B donated resources) can be documented to offset the local match and cited a donated labor rate for DR‑4935 of $34.79 per hour.

County officials asked whether each county road counts as one project; Middleton said projects can be grouped logically (by precinct, area, or individual road) and TDEM/FEMA will work with local staff to determine the most logical grouping for scoping and documentation.