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Ratification of Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Application to Department of Emergency Management for Disaster Assistance Resulting From Hurricane Milton for Long Lake Outfall Project and Associated Resolution Ratifying County Administrator’s Previous Signature and Granting Signature Authority for Grant Program Application
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BRIEF OVERVIEW
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded Florida Counties over $682 Million in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding as a result of Hurricane Debby, with Hernando County being allocated $12,625,570.37. The Hernando County Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS) working group allocated $6,312,785 (50%) of the HMGP funds to Hernando County residents through the Elevate Florida program and $4,034,776 to Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative, Inc., for two “Pole Hardening” projects in Hernando County.
The Florida Department of Emergency Management (FDEM) is working with FEMA to administer the program. Projects are sent to FDEM for review of program compliance. Once completed, FDEM will recommend projects to FEMA for funding consideration. If a municipality does not apply or if their project is not deemed eligible, those allocated funds are available for other approved municipalities’ projects as seen fit by FDEM.
The HMGP application for Long Lake Outfall covers design, permitting and construction. Work on this project will not start until funding is approved.
Hernando County total cost of the project is $1,750,000 with $1,312,500 in HMGP Federal Assistance for this project with the County contributing $419,500 in Cash Match and $18,000 in In-Kind services. HMGP projects are funded at a 75%/25% Federal/County Cost Share. If approved, the County can request up 5% ($87,500) in Management Costs with no match required for those funds.
Grant Policy 15-01 provides an allowance for the County Administrator to approve submittal of grant applications when time constraints exist. Due to time constraints, this grant application was submitted on July 24, 2025, with the approval of the County Administrator. In accordance with Grant Policy 15-01, the grant application is being brought to the Board for ratification of the grant application.
The attached proposed Resolution ratifies the County Administrator’s application to HMGP FEMA-4834-DR-FL Hurricane Milton and authorizes him to execute any related documents on behalf of Hernando County as may be required by the Florida Department of Emergency Management.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
None at this time. There is a 25% match required $419,500 of which would be funded by the Stormwater MSTU. $18,000 would be in-kind services.
LEGAL NOTE
The Board is authorized to act on this matter pursuant to Chapter 125, Florida Statutes.
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board ratify the application for FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds from FEMA-4834-DR-FL Hurricane Milton for construction and related services on the Long Lake Outfall Project.
It is further recommended that the Board approve and authorize the Chairman’s signature on the attached resolution granting Signature Authority to the County Administrator for the Hurricane Milton HMGP grant application grant documents.