Uncertainty of Fed Funds Echoed at County Meetings

In terms of uncertain Federal-source funds with the potential to impact planned county projects, Commissioners on February 19 met virtually with County Emergency Manager Phil Graham.
Graham referenced a technical assistance grant request by Town of Lake City for an emergency backup generator and portions of the wastewater treatment plant expansion which has now “come to an abrupt halt” as of Friday, February 14 (see separate story), although the grant application’s requirement for a benefit/cost analysis is complete.
In his exchange with Commissioners Borchers, Levine, and Hurd, Emergency Manager Graham noted that the county, in partnership with Lake City Area Medical Center is proceeding with plans for a FEMA grant application in the neighborhood of $200,000 for the cost of emergency backup generators at both the county’s new, yet-to-be-built Operations Center and Lake City Area Medical Center, together with associated equipment.
If approved, the county/medical center FEMA grant would cover 75 percent of the cost for the two generators and associated equipment, with Hinsdale County and Lake Fork Health Service District then splitting the 25 percent match 50-50. County Finance Officer Lynn McNitt told Commissioners the county’s half of the match is now held in savings.
Commissioners also engaged in an informative discussion with local and regional wildfire prevention experts including local resident Rick Hernandez, Rick Tarrantino with Colorado State Forest Service and Aaron Johnson and Leigh Robertson on behalf of the West Region Wildfire Council.
Tarrantino, who heads the State Forest Service Gunnison Field Office with a three-officer staff, reiterated the well known fact that heavily forested public and private lands in Hinsdale County are susceptible to wildfires.
West Region’s Aaron Johnson spoke on past and upcoming fire mitigation efforts in the county, highlighting the uncertainties of funding and the fact that due to funding cuts, some programs may be stopped. Johnson termed funding options for
Vol. 47, No. 50 Friday, March 14, 2025 Lake City, Hinsdale County, Colorado 81235 U.S.P.S. No. 436-630
75¢wildfire mitigation as both “tricky” and “uncertain,” noting that “some funding sources are now not available, we’re taking a hard look at what can be offered while some projects are now paused.”
Speaking in past tense, Johnson referred to the 2023……..

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