Battle Sparks For Control of Disaster Funds

An argument over Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts broke out at the Fayette County Commissioners Court meeting on Monday, Feb. 28. 

La Grange Area Disaster Recovery Team President Joy Cameron asked the commissioners to recognize her group as the official long term recovery team for Fayette County. That designation could gain the group access to state and federal recovery funds that may be coming to the area. 

But just before Cameron spoke, County Emergency Management Coordinator Janet Carrigan announced the County’s intentions to form its own long term recovery team. 

“We are looking at the County being awarded two to three times what our annual budget is,” Carrigan said.

The 2018 Fayette County budget stands at over $20 million. If Carrigan’s estimation proves correct, Fayette County could receive $40 million to $60 million in government disaster funds. Her proposal called for Commissioners Court to establish a non-profit long term recovery team and appoint board members from the community.

“These are the doctors, these are the lawyers, these are the insurance agents, these are the realtors, these are the teachers, this is our county standing up to see how the County is going to move forward,” Carrigan said.

“It’s like if the City of La Grange had two chambers of commerce, it’s just ridiculous,” Cameron said in an interview with the Record on Tuesday.

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