County to receive snow storm costs reimbursement
Comet staff report

Carroll County is one of several counties that will receive federal disaster funds to supplement costs for responding to the record snowstorm that hit the state last month.

Governor Mitch Daniels had requested federal reimbursement for state and local governments for expenses incurred in response to severe winter storm and blizzard conditions that occurred between Feb. 12- 14.

President Bush ordered the aid under an emergency declaration issued after a review of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) analysis of the state's request for federal assistance. The declaration covers jurisdictions with record and near-record snowfall from the storm that occurred over that period.

FEMA Director David Paulison said federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures that were undertaken to save lives and protect public health, safety and property, including snow removal. The aid, authorized under an emergency disaster declaration issued for the state of Indiana by President Bush, supplements actions undertaken to alleviate the impacts of the emergency over a continuous 48-hour period during or proximate to the incident period in the counties of protect public health and safety and to prevent damage to public or private property.

Neighboring counties, Cass, Clinton, Tippecanoe and White, were also approved for reimbursement. Data from other Indiana counties that recorded record or near-record snowfall will also be reviewed by FEMA for inclusion into this declaration.

Under the emergency declaration, FEMA will provide reimbursement to state and local government agencies for 75 percent of the total eligible costs of equipment, contracts and personnel overtime related to emergency services in dealing with the snow over a 48- hour period. Related emergency protective measures such as sanding and salting will also be eligible for reimbursement