Tulsa County approves $50,000 EMPG to develop county disaster recovery plan

Tulsa County commissioners voted to accept and authorize a local agreement for a $50,000 Emergency Management Performance Grant intended to develop a county-level recovery plan.

An emergency-management official told the board the EMPG is an annual program administered through the state and that this year the county selected "recovery" as the focus. "Emergency management performance grant," the official said when describing the program, and explained the grant would fund a team to "develop a plan" that coordinates housing, Catholic Charities and other recovery partners. Commissioner Ben Kieran asked for clarification: "So 50,000 to create a plan?" The official confirmed, "Yeah."

The official emphasized the funds are for planning and alignment with a statewide recovery plan rather than a pool for recovery payouts. He also said the local agreement requires a commissioner’s signature: "I can't sign the local agreement. It has to be through the county commissioner," the official said. Staff noted routine quarterly reporting requirements to the state for EMPG grants.

The board moved and approved the local agreement by roll call. The vote recorded approval of the motion by the commissioners present. The approval directs county emergency management to proceed with the planning work and with required grant reporting.