Flagler Beach starts to see Matthew funds

March 20--FLAGLER BEACH -- Seventeen months after Hurricane Matthew, the city is receiving some state and federal reimbursements for expenses incurred during the first 30 days following the storm.

To date, the city has gotten $223,285. That includes $50,000 received in January.

Costs from the 30 days immediately following the storm were dominated by labor and debris removal. Of the funds received to date, $173,664 will go toward emergency protective measures, such as securing roofs. Another $49,620 will go toward safety inspections after the hurricane.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency reimburses 85 percent for expenses stemming from the first 30 days. State and local governments each pay 7 1/2 percent toward those costs.

For expenses incurred after 90 days, FEMA pays 75 percent. State and local governments each contribute 12 1/2 percent.

In February, Flagler Beach City Manager Larry Newsom met with representatives of the state Department of Emergency Management to find out what was holding up the city's reimbursements. State Rep. Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, helped to arrange that meeting.

Agency representatives attributed the delay to the hiring of new employees. Newsom said he was told at that time the city would receive its money shortly.

Newsom said debris removal cost the city about $800,000 after each of the two hurricanes. The city is still awaiting about $1 million in reimbursements from Hurricane Matthew and $2 million from Hurricane Irma. No funds have yet been received for the latter storm.

Newsom also said that both FEMA and the state approved funding for the city based upon the hours volunteers contributed to four beach cleanups following Matthew. The amount was $34,228.

In January, Newsom said the slow release of funds was making it more difficult to address other projects, such as street paving.

The delay did not affect the city's ability to reopen the pier, because repairs were funded through insurance.

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