Audit: Harvey caused $5.2 million in damage to Victoria County

July 31--Hurricane Harvey caused at least $5.2 million in damages to Victoria County, according to an audit of the county's 2017 finances released Monday.

County commissioners reviewed the county's comprehensive annual financial report for the year ending Dec. 31, 2017, at the county commissioners meeting.

The latest information from the county's insurance carrier estimates the damage from the hurricane in 2017 at $5,216,438, according to the audit.

The report was presented by Steve Van Manen, of the accounting firm Harrison Waldrop and Uherek.

County commissioners have prioritized keeping a sizable fund balance in reserves to use for unexpected costs, such as Hurricane Harvey, he said.

"That's why we have the fund balance like we do, because FEMA will always be a slow payer," County Judge Ben Zeller said Monday. "Insurance is always up in the air as far as speed with which we'll get our money. That's why we've maintained a strong reserve fund like this, for hurricanes and other things."

The county's total fund balance did decrease last year, but commissioners noted that the decrease was planned so funds could be transferred to the Victoria Regional Airport.

The report showed that the county still has a "very healthy" fund balance, even after the area was battered by Hurricane Harvey, Van Manen said.

Commissioners also recognized county employee Alonzo Richardson as employee of the quarter at Monday's meeting. Richardson was hailed for his years of service at the Victoria County Juvenile Justice Center and was supported by about two dozen colleagues who crowded into the commissioners court to watch him receive the award.

Ciara McCarthy covers local government for the Victoria Advocate as a Report for America corps member. You can reach her at cmccarthy@vicad.com or at 580-6597 or on Twitter at @mccarthy_ciara.

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