County must decide how to spend $350,000
The county has $350,000 in title III funds, and on Friday, Mineral County financial officer Jessica Connelly warned commissioners that if the funds were not used, they would have to be returned to the federal government.
“Trouble is we can’t use it for anything,” said Commissioner Duane Simons, “there are so many restrictions on the funds, seems about all we can do is have a party and hand out pamphlets about wildfires, what a waste.”
In August, 2012 the Forest Service revised restrictions on title III funds as a result of recommendations made by the Government Accountability Office. The funds are given to the county after the federal government makes payments to the state.
According to the USDA, funds can only be used for Firewise Community Program activities, limited to providing specific wildfire-related education or wildland fire mitigation assistance to homeowners. This includes educating homeowners about where to construct a home, landscaping and maintenance around a home that will decrease the risk of injury or death, and decrease the risk of damage to homes.
Activities include distribution of Firewise information, educational workshops, hosting “clean-up days”, and provide grants or partial funding for removal of vegetation around homes. There are also some emergency services that can be reimbursed from these funds.
“Prior to 2012, we could pretty much use the funds for anything,” said Simons, “we installed a fire hydrant in St. Regis, drilled wells in Deborgia and Saltese, did mapping for the county, and helped fund the law enforcement camp for the sheriff’s office. It’s our money to begin with since 25 percent of it comes from timber sales.”
According to the rules, if the funds aren’t obligated by Sept. 2018, they will have to be returned. Currently, the commissioners are asking Sen. Steve Daines and Rep. Ryan Zinke to try and get some of the title III restriction lifted. During the meeting, Commissioner Chairman, Roman Zylawy asked Connelly if they obligated the funds now, could they change those obligations later if the restrictions change. Connelly believed they could.
Currently, Roger Hearst facilitates the fire mitigation program and is interested in continuing in that role. He is currently paid through a claims process. After a discussion, the commissioners decided to obligate the funds to the fire mitigation program and expand it. A proposal was made to create a Title III Coordinator position, which was approved. The position would encompass management of the entire program.
Title III funding is approved on an annual basis and in 2012, Mineral County received $78,498. In 2013, it increased to $84,168, in 2014 $83,801 was received, which dropped to $72,391 in 2015, with a further reduction in 2016, to $63,010. Currently the account has a balance of $351,395. According to Connelly the funds do not have to be spent by 2018, but they do need to be obligated to a program.
Funds cannot be used for clearing vegetation along emergency evacuation routes or from county lands including parks, schools, cemeteries, or along roads. Nor can they be used to purchase street signs; update emergency response systems or equipment; or purchase water tanks, hydrants; nor fire danger signs to display the current level of wildland fire danger. Also, funds can’t be used to educate people about wildland fires beyond the Firewise Community Program on how to keep homes safe.