Fillmore reports about $468,000 in flood-mitigation costs; the city administrator expects most to be reimbursed

Fillmore has reported about $468,000 in flood-mitigation expenses following the Widemouth 2 Fire, according to council minutes. City officials expect most of that cost to be reimbursed. ^[4]

The budget amendment

The Aug. 25 hearing notice proposed appropriating $500,000 of general fund surplus "for additional expenses from the Widemouth 2 Fire." ^[2]

That evening the council adopted Resolution 26-16, which appropriated the $500,000 from general fund surplus "for flood mitigation work." The roll call was four yes votes, with Councilmember Larsen absent. ^[1]

Purchase orders

On Aug. 25, the council approved purchase orders of $12,000 and $27,100 for Widemouth 2 Fire flood-mitigation work. ^[1]

On Sept. 8, it approved $10,592 to Wheeler Machinery Company for an excavator rental and $12,500 to Penney's Tree Removal for tree removal along Chalk Creek, both for flood mitigation. ^[3]

On Sept. 22, it approved $13,225 to Wheeler Machinery Company to rent an excavator for flood mitigation. ^[4]

Those five purchase orders total $75,417. ^[1][3][4]

The reported total

In department reports on Sept. 22, Kevin Orton, the city administrator and recorder, reported "approximately $468,000 in flood-mitigation expenses" and said the city "is expected to receive reimbursement for most of those costs," according to the minutes. The minutes do not name the reimbursing agency, the amount claimed or a payment date. ^[4]

At the Aug. 25 meeting, Councilmember Alldredge said that "Fillmore avoided a flood" the previous Saturday because of work by county and city public works crews. ^[1]