The Marshall County Council members considered a request to appropriate up to $25,000 in funds to assist those homeowners recovering from the February flood event.
Linda Yoder, who serves as the director of the Long Term Flood Recovery Committee, said 250 homes in Marshall County were affected by the flooding event.
“We think that 50 percent of those homes are going to be just fine. They’ll figure it out and get back on their feet. Another 25 percent of those homes they’re going to need some assistance, but then there’s another 25 percent that are going to need some significant help to get back on their feet,” explained Yoder.
The group estimates that about $450,000 is needed for unmet needs.
“The sequence of delivery on this is we look at insurance first. Do they have insurance? If they do, that’s great. With the FEMA declaration, we’ll look at FEMA funds and then with the Small Business Administration we’ll look to see if they’re eligible for a low-interest loan, and other sources as well.”
Commissioner Kurt Garner, who also acts as the chairperson of the Long Term Flood Recovery Committee said there is support from the public.
“The public has raised through donations and through corporations about $60,000. The public is responding. It’s not that they’re not. We have a benefit concert coming up this Saturday with a day of giving then focused on the faith community on Sunday. The reality is we’re still going to be short.”
There were 78 homes affected with major or minor flood damage. Of that statistic, the Town of Bremen has 13 percent of those homes, the Town of Argos has three percent, the City of Plymouth has 44 percent and the unincorporated areas in the county equal 40 percent. All governments will be approached to ask for dollars to assist residents who are displaced in order to complete the necessary repairs so they can go back home. Other companies have also given monetary assistance.
The funds will be set up at the United Way of Marshall County and spent as case managers determine the necessary needs and submit invoices for payment.
The council members unanimously approved a motion to put forth an advertisement for an additional appropriation from the Rainy Day Fund to the flood relief fund at the United Way in the amount of $25,000.
