Dane County Receives Substantial FEMA Reimbursement for Emergency Snow Removal
August 11, 2011
Casey Slaughter Becker, Office of the County Executive (608) 267-8823 or cell (608) 843-8858
County Executive
Dane County Executive Joe Parisi announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has reimbursed Dane County for the substantial snow removal costs agencies incurred during February’s Groundhog Day Blizzard of 2011.
“Winter seems like a lifetime away after the summer we’ve had,” said Parisi. “But this is great news, not only for the county’s budget, but for our county agencies and employees that acted so quickly to keep the roads clear, and residents safe, during such a dangerous winter storm.”
A total of $154,822 was reimbursed to Dane County for snow removal in February, including reimbursements to the county’s Highway and Sheriff’s departments, the Alliant Energy Center, and the Dane County Regional Airport.
Then County Executive Kathleen Falk declared a state of emergency for Dane County on February 1st in anticipation of a significant winter storm that quickly produced more than 18 inches of snow, wind gusts up to 60 miles per hour, and resulted in road, school, and business closures.
Dane County was one of 10 Wisconsin counties included in an April 5th Presidential Disaster Declaration for the blizzard. The declaration made local governments, school districts (public and private), and certain non-profit organizations eligible for federal funding to help pay for part of the cost for emergency measures taken as a result of the storm.
The disaster aid covered equipment usage, contracts, and personnel overtime related to plowing snow. In addition, sanding and salting, search and rescue, shelter operations, and police and fire department response were also be eligible for reimbursement.
Dane County joined 52 of the 61 local units of government in the county, the UW Madison, and 9 school districts in a total aid request of more than $1.5 million. To date, all but three school districts and 10 local units have received payments. The total payment these entities have received to date is $1,429,836.
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