FEMA Penalizes West Virginia Over Grant Requirements

A report from the West Virginia legislative auditor’s office says the Federal Emergency Management Agency has penalized the state for not complying with grant requirements.

News outlets cite the report as saying management deficiencies at the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management prompted FEMA to place West Virginia into a “manual reimbursement” policy. FEMA will now only reimburse the division when it justifies the request.

The report was shared with the legislative Post Audits Subcommittee on Sunday. It says the division has been failing to adhere to grant agreements since 2009. A complete audit will come next month.

West Virginia National Guard adjutant general Maj. Gen. James Hoyer and other officials told the committee new auditing and other functions have been put in place to ensure FEMA compliance.

Dispute Resolution Sought in West Virginia School Plan

The state education board says a dispute resolution company out of Massachusetts will come to West Virginia on Monday to find a solution to the dispute over Nicholas County’s plan to consolidate schools into a single campus following flood damage.

State Superintendent Steven Paine tells the Beckley Register-Herald that the company will interview those involved and return in December with recommendations.

State Board of Education President Thomas Campbell says dispute resolution is standard for the Federal Emergency Management Agency in situations like this one.

The state board rejected Nicholas County’s consolidation plan. Paine said Gov. Jim Justice sponsored the resolution process to be fair to everyone involved after West Virginia’s Supreme Court ruled the state board has the constitutional authority to accept or reject the county plan.

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