Media Contact:
Brenda Ahlberg, Information Officer 907-231-6505 04/10/2020
Future Reimbursements Resulting from the COVID-19 Federal Disaster Declaration
FEMA-4533-DR-AK
FEMA-4533-DR-AK
In a formal release from the Whitehouse, President Donald J. Trump declared that a major disaster exists in the State of Alaska and ordered federal assistance to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic beginning on January 20, 2020 (excerpt). Federal disaster declaration for the State of Alaska,
FEMA-4533-DR-AK, was formally approved 04/09/20.
What does this mean to the Kenai Peninsula Borough? The declaration will allow state, tribal, eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations (nonprofits that support education, utilities, emergency, medical, custodial care and other essential social services) to be reimbursed for expenses resulting from the COVID-19. Under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance program, the borough will be allowed to seek reimbursement for eligible expenditures associated with emergency protective measures. Financial activities are tracked by project codes; upon approval by the state, the borough will enter into grant agreements with the Alaska Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management. One misconception is that the borough will receive money upfront, which is not true. All eligible costs under the emergency protective measures – called “Category B” – are awarded on a reimbursement basis only.
On March 16th, the borough’s emergency disaster declaration was submitted to the State of Alaska, making available resources and support to borough entities and to jurisdictions for the ongoing response and recovery from the current and potential impacts. The federal declaration continues to allow the State to continue providing technical expertise, supplementing resource requests and helping the borough with continued response and recovery. Mayor Charlie Pierce noted, “We greatly appreciate the State and Federal assistance, particularly as the duration of this pandemic is unknown. We must balance the importance of following the governor’s mandates with the need to support our residents’ efforts to recover from the cascading impacts of this virus.”
04/09/20 Whitehouse Release
04/09/20 Governor Dunleavy Release
03/16/20 Kenai Peninsula Borough Local Emergency Declaration and Legislation
03/11/20 Alaska Public Health Disaster Emergency Declaration COVID-19
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