Emergency Management Director Abby Hawk reported that the preliminary price tag for the recent storm damage was around $830,000 for the county. There were 26.8 miles of roads where the water was washed off. Most of it was from north of a line from Allendale to Worth. There were 12 tubes and six culverts washed out. One road had a gully in it. Many people responded to Ms. Hawk's request for pictures of damage.
The danger for this cycle is that FEMA might view some of the damage as deferred maintenance. The county found out they were behind other counties in putting up rock per mile. Currently, the county puts 60 tons of gravel per mile on its roads via tax rock. Nodaway County puts up 78-100 tons per mile. Gentry and Atchison put up 100 tons per mile.
The surrounding counties are able to put more rock on their roads because they are more populous and collect more revenue. Also, the local rock quarry charges Nodaway County $3 a ton per mile less than it charges other counties.
Damage estimates include $600,000 for lost rock, $40,000 to replace the culverts, and $10,000 for field dirt. Ms. Hawk and Road & Bridge Foreman Jim Fletchall went around the county to document storm damage for two days. Commissioners spent most of the meeting coming up with funds to begin the repair work so that FEMA can reimburse them. It typically takes FEMA a year to pay after a disaster is declared.
There is $239,685 from unused FEMA funds from a previous disaster sitting in a money market account that can be used. The county takes in around $160,000 from a voter-approved tax rock measure and puts up another $175,000. The extra labor is covered under the current budget. The county came up with $100,000 in three different accounts that can be used to replace the tubes. The next step is for the county road & bridge crew to get started on the repair work. In order to receive disaster relief funds, counties have to commit to spending the resources and then get reimbursed. Other potential areas of damage will be looked at.
Workers are putting up new windows and painting the interior walls for the Courthouse. A bucket truck was replacing the old windows with new ones for the attic. The old ones were put up in the 1980's. They were rotting, falling out, and difficult to open and close. They were leaking and blowing in a lot of outside air.
Adam Summers came in to announce that he is resigning from Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation to devote more time to his business.
The county agreed to write a letter of support for USDA grant opportunities with NWMEF.
Mr. Fletchall reported that they were waiting on a part for the Kenworth for the exhaust. The white truck was in the repair shop with hydraulic issues.
The Rim Rock Trail road is closed for a new bridge, and Old 169 is scheduled to be closed this week for another bridge replacement.
The Commission went into closed session under Missouri Statute 610.022 to discuss personnel issues.
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