Burke County officials told the Board of Commissioners on Nov. 17 they have applied for more than $11.4 million in FEMA public assistance reimbursement related to recent storm recovery but have received only limited obligations so far.

"To date, we've been reimbursed... roughly a million dollars, $12,000 in reimbursement in the category A," County Manager Manning said, describing progress and remaining complications in category B (staff time) and other components of the application. Manning said ongoing discussions involve FEMA attorneys, state emergency management and Congressional staff.

Manning told the board the federal policy manual (referred to in the presentation as the PAPG) and FEMA's local Project Delivery Management Group assignments have changed multiple times, complicating interpretation of eligible costs. One point of contention has been FEMA's guidance on debris‑trailer utilization (how full trailers may be counted), which led to portions of Burke County's application being moved into a large‑project review that requires legal, environmental and archaeological vetting.

Manning said the county has pursued the state procurement process for monitoring and collection and that some other counties accepted negotiated settlements from FEMA on measurement issues; Burke County staff have been advised not to accept such settlements without board review. "We are optimistic that the 90% conversation is going to be worked through," Manning said, but added the process remains slow and subject to federal review.

No formal vote or direction beyond continuing application work was taken at the meeting. Commissioners thanked staff and asked to be kept informed as FEMA decisions proceed.