CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Kanawha County Commission will be seeking money from the state Rainy Day Fund in addition to FEMA aid when a special session is called to address the June 23 flood.
Commission President Kent Carper said that even if FEMA reimburses 75 percent of the flood damage costs, the county will still owe a substantial amount of money.
“Under the best scenario, we’ll get 75 percent of that from the federal government. Which means county taxpayers will be out two to $300,000,” Carper said. “There’s a Rainy Day Fund the state has. It’s our position that the state should step up and pay that local share.”
In the clean-up effort alone, Carper said, the county has paid a considerable amount of money already, allocating an additional $500,000 Thursday night.
“The numbers are huge. Kanawha County taxpayers have already encumbered at least over $1 million just hauling debris. Probably heading up to 1.2 or 1.3 (million).”
A special session is expected on the flood and the allocation of Rainy Day Fund monies sometime in August or September.
“I intend to be there arm-in-arm with (House) Speaker Armstead, the Senate President (Bill Cole) and every single member of the Kanawha County delegation,” Carper said. “There’s an election coming up, and I hope the voters of this county will let them know how proud we are of how they’re going to help their fellow citizens in its time of need.”
Carper expected that FEMA would come through on its share of the reimbursement, but more help was needed.
“I think we can rely upon that, but can Kanawha County taxpayers shell out $1 million quote for the local match. We’re going to need help from the state on that.”
The Kanawha County School Board will also be examining the building of a new high school, having announced Wednesday night that Herbert Hoover High School could not reopen.