By Christopher Robbins/NJ.com The Star-Ledger
on June 26, 2013 at 7:30 AM 

    The onerous task of funding hurricane recovery just became a little easier for Monmouth County municipalities.

    The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced on Tuesday it will boost local Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts by reimbursing communities at a rate of 90 percent for certain Sandy related expenses, said U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-4th).

    “Being assured of a 90–10 percent split was necessary to continue our rebuilding process. The new cost share will greatly ease local decision-making and help planning future budgets,” Smith said.

    Previously, FEMA disaster funds came at a 75-25 split with municipalities – leaving some towns in a budget pinch as the cost of their recovery skyrocketed to millions of dollars.

    Smith met with FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate earlier this month to press for the increase and discuss the agency's ongoing New Jersey flood recovery efforts. 

    At the meeting, Fugate told Smith he expected and would recommend moving to a 90-10 federal share for FEMA funding.

    “This decision will greatly help New Jersey communities still dealing with significant damage issues as a result of tropical storm Sandy, while trying to figure out potential ratable losses," Smith said. "The move from a 75-25 percent federal-local cost share to a 90-10 split, which will be retroactive, will make the path forward a little more clear and help with municipal budget planning.”

    This approval will provide an immediate and additional $262 million for already obligated funding and it will cover all additional local government approved funding.

    These categories cover: Public Assistance Grant emergency work and permanent work including debris removal; emergency protective measures; road systems and bridges; water control facilities; buildings; contents and equipment; utilities, and; parks.

    “With a number of vital issues still facing homeowners, businesses, and government agencies as we enter the first summer tourist season after Sandy, it is apparent we need a discernible path forward,” Smith said.

    Smith and Fugate also discussed FEMA’s advisory flood maps, homeowner flood insurance, pending legislative initiatives to ease future flood insurance burdens, and Smith’s legislation to provide assistance to houses of worship, which are now exempt from receiving federal aid.

Story as originally published:
http://www.nj.com/monmouth/index.ssf/2013/06/monmouth_county_communities_will_benefit_from_additional_fema_funding.html#incart_river_monmouth