Oro Valley details FEMA, DEMA grant pursuits as several wash projects advance

Scott Bennett, the town GIS analyst who leads grant pursuits for the stormwater utility, reviewed Oro Valley’s multi-year effort to secure federal mitigation funding and summarized recent project progress on June 18.

Bennett said the town’s projects have seen mixed outcomes in FEMA programs: some applications stalled during PDM (Pre‑Disaster Mitigation) national review, while others have advanced through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMA) and DEMA administration. "The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program is where we really had the most success," Bennett said, noting Via Mandarin was closed out by DEMA and reimbursement remains pending.

He listed advancing projects that passed initial state ranking: Mudder's Wash at Brenick Drive (about $2.5 million with a 75% federal share, 25% local match) and Carmack Wash upper tributary flood control and channel improvement (about $3.4 million, also 75% federal/25% local). Bennett said staff submitted 60% design plans and benefit‑cost refinements to support environmental and historic preservation review.

Bennett and Roberts cautioned that federal programs carry long review windows and inflation risk: HMA/BRIC applications often take several years from notice to construction, and municipalities remain liable for the project scope and costs they commit to in grant applications. Bennett said BRIC (Building Resilient Infrastructure Communities) is highly competitive at the national level and not guaranteed despite good state rankings.

Commissioners pressed staff on how FEMA mapping and NFIP data affect eligibility; Roberts said the town uses the best available data (often 2017 mapping) and that Pima County will assist on hydrologic and mapping analyses for some projects. Public commenter Bill Jackson had earlier questioned whether recent subdivision grading that he estimated would hold 11 acre‑feet above the Highlands Wash had been included in flood analyses; staff said a refined analysis will be used in project documents where required.

Staff said the town must post certain project notices for 14 days as part of the FEMA process and cited a June 29 deadline for one posting. They also said DEMA indicated remaining reimbursement for Via Mandarin is expected soon and that construction for several FY26–27 projects is anticipated after the monsoon season once bids are awarded.

The commission did not approve new projects at the meeting; staff will continue grant coordination with DEMA, FEMA reviewers and Pima County and return with updates.