Emergency management seeks county position for coordinator as grant rules change; meeting with Rep. Kurtz planned

Emergency management staff told the committee that changes in grant rules mean the office will transition the emergency management coordinator from a contracted position to a county employee to preserve eligibility for key grants. "The EMT grant no longer allows for contract staffing under the grant requirements, but EMPG does," the emergency manager said, explaining the rationale for moving the position onto county payroll.

Staff said the change is intended to maintain continuity as NOFO requirements evolve and federal funding becomes more complicated and constrained. The office reported it has closed out 2024 grant deliverables and is working with county administration to resolve discrepancies that arose during the 2025 budget translation.

The emergency manager also described mitigation priorities after last summer's heavy rains, noting some residents suffered tens of thousands of dollars in damage. The office will discuss mitigation plans and disaster-fund options with Representative Kurtz at a Feb. 14 meeting; the second half of the meeting will address EMS funding and regional sustainability.

Committee members asked for clarification on grant sources and whether federal funding changes would reduce state allocations; staff said some grant categories were flagged for potential pauses but later received notice of no geography changes for 2025. The office plans to continue pursuing grant funding while aligning staffing and administrative structure with grant rules.