County says $11.8M in FEMA reimbursements remain outstanding; commissioners press for faster action to fund roads

Commissioners pressed staff on the pace and amount of FEMA reimbursements tied to post‑hurricane work. County Manager Jennifer Barker and Jamie Stewart said the county has spent about $18 million on hurricane response since 2022 and has received roughly $4 million back; Stewart told the board about $11.8 million remains outstanding and $1.3 million of that amount has been reviewed and validated by the state.

"There's $11,800,000 that is outstanding right now," Jamie Stewart said when asked for the status of FEMA claims. Commissioners urged staff to pursue faster channels with FEMA and the state — including legislative outreach and meetings in Washington — to accelerate reimbursement and free up funds that could be used for roads.