Nueces County outlines $4.9M FEMA award and pending reimbursement pipeline for COVID response

Nueces County heard an update from Hagerty Consulting on the county's COVID-19 recovery claims through FEMA Public Assistance and state coronavirus programs. Hagerty said FEMA issued an award in the expedited program for vaccine activities that totals about $4,899,980.80; the county has already received an advanced payment of roughly $2.2 million and Hagerty is submitting reconciliations and additional RFRs for testing, infusion centers and other eligible emergency-protective actions.

Consultants said parts of the submitted reimbursement requests are in FEMA/TDEM's review queues and some items are pending request‑for‑information responses. Hagerty emphasized that FEMA review capacity is limited and that multiple RFI rounds are common; staff have been actively supplying requested documentation. Commissioners asked for weekly status updates and copies of RFR submissions; Hagerty agreed to provide the documentation and work directly with county staff to speed reviews.

County administration said recovered amounts to date are material and that recovered costs for staff time (forced labor) will help the county's fiscal standing. Commissioners urged continued follow‑up to bring remaining claims to close and to capture all eligible costs before federal cost‑share periods change later in 2022.