Posted: 10/2/07
County receives $500,000 to help clean up flood-related debris
By Charlie Warner
Argus Editor
Although itís been more than six weeks since the flash floods of Aug. 18 and 19 caused tens of millions of dollars to Southeast Minnesota, many are still sifting through the rubble and making repairs. One of the last issues to be addressed is the massive amount of trees, limbs, bushes, and other debris that Mother Nature deposited all over the area.
According to Rep. Ken Tschumper, part of the flood relief funding approved during the special legislative session last month was a debris management grant. Houston County received $500,000 to assist homeowners, farmers, and other property owners remove debris, and/or destroyed structures. Tschumper attended the Sept. 25 Houston County Board meeting to discuss flood-related issues and aid packages resulting from the September special legislative session.
The state earmarked $2.5 million for debris removal for the area, with the largest portion of this going to Rushford where close to 100 homes will have to be demolished and disposed of.
Persons with debris issues are to check with their homeowners insurance first, then file claims with both SBA and FEMA. The county will be setting up a committee to review debris issues and claims.
"People are going to have to have documentation and have these issues inspected first," Commissioner Dave Corcoran said. "Otherwise, we could have a free-for-all with people clearing out their pastures and claiming itís flood related."
EMS gets help
Houston County Emergency Management Services Director Kurt Kuhlers will be receiving a little well-needed help. The state appropriated money to provide up to two years of clerical help for EMS departments in the seven-county Presidential designated disaster area. The program will pay 100 percent of the salary for a clerical person to help handle the massive amounts of paperwork that are the results of the floods and subsequent aid applications.
Tax abatements for flood damage
Houston County Assessor Tom Dybing reported the state has appropriated $1 million to the seven-county disaster area to help counties grant property tax abatements to properties damaged by the August floods.
The program is available for private property and businesses. Persons wishing to apply must have paid the first half of their 2007 property taxes and have sustained substantial damage of at least 50 percent of the value of the property.
Dybing added that businesses that sustained some damage can apply for an extension on the second half of their 2007 tax payments. The extension would allow payment by Dec. 31, 2007 without a penalty.
"Anyone who feels they have incurred decreased value in their property due to the floods should contact my office," Dybing said. "Property owners who sustained substantial damage may be eligible for tax abatements in 2008 as well."
EWP to be sponsored
The county board agreed to serve as a co-sponsor with the Houston County Soil and Water Conservation District for the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program. Ralph Turk of the SWCD told the board EWP still needed a co-sponsor because there are various portions of the county that were damaged in the August floods that need to be repaired.
The EWP will fund 75 percent of the costs involved in repairing the damage, and the governmental body acting as the host needs to provide the other 25 percent, either through in-kind help (the actual physical repairs) or funding, or a combination of the two.
There is a 60-day period when landowners can request help through the EWP, but there must be a host agency.
The county board first discussed sponsoring the program, since it would be much more manageable for the county to be the sponsoring body than each township. But there was some concern the county would be stuck paying the remaining 25 percent.
Tuck met with the SWCD board and it was agreed upon that the SWCD and the property owner receiving the benefits of the program would split the remaining 25 percent.
Flu clinics scheduled
Houston County will be sponsoring four flu shot clinics October 4 and 5.
On Oct. 4 a clinic will be held at the Brownsville Community Center from 9 to 11, and at the Caledonia Methodist Church from 1 to 3.
On Oct. 5 a clinic will be held at the Houston Valley View Manor from 9 to 11 and at the Spring Grove Fest Building from 1 to 3.
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