Item:
Title
National Association of Counties (NACo) FEMA Sign On Letter
Body
Date of BOCC Meeting: September 22, 2025
Request for Board Action:
Agenda Text
The Board is requested to authorize the Chair to sign and submit a formal letter of support for the bipartisan Fixing Emergency Management for Americans (FEMA) Act (H.R. 4669) to the County's federal legislative delegation.
The FEMA Act introduces critical reforms to the federal disaster recovery system, aimed at reducing administrative burdens and accelerating support to local governments and residents in the aftermath of disasters. These reforms directly address challenges experienced by counties, particularly related to reimbursement delays, application complexity, and lack of transparency in federal recovery processes.
Key provisions supported by the County include:
• Universal Disaster Application to streamline survivor access to multiple federal programs.
• Public Assistance Program Reform shifting from a reimbursement-based model to an upfront grant-based model.
• Public Assistance Dashboard for real-time tracking of project approvals and disbursements.
• Modernized Mitigation Programs to help counties proactively prepare for future disasters.
This legislative advocacy aligns with the County’s broader goals of improving emergency response capacity, enhancing disaster resilience, and ensuring equitable access to federal recovery resources
Alignment With Strategic Plan: This item aligns with Strategic Plan Goal - Safe and Resilient Community
Resource Persons: Dwane Brinson, Assistant County Manager
County Manager’s Recommendation: The County Manager recommends that the Board authorize the Chair to sign and submit a formal letter of support for the bipartisan Fixing Emergency Management for Americans (FEMA) Act (H.R. 4669) to the County's federal legislative delegation.
Signature
County Manager: ____________________________