LONG BEACH, Miss. (AP) - Harrison County officials say they spent $174,000 to repair the Jim Simpson Pier in Long Beach with the understanding the Federal Emergency Management Agency would reimburse them.
WLOX-TV in Biloxi reports (https://bit.ly/MNcWGI) the county has been notified by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency that no reimbursement is coming.
MEMA, which administers disaster relief money, told county officials that the project was ineligible for reimbursement because the pier’s repairs were done before the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s environmental compliance process was completed.
Board of Supervisors President Marlin Ladner says the county will appeal FEMA’s decision, but if the money isn’t reimbursed, the county have may have to absorb the cost. The appeal deadline is March 27.
MEMA officials say they will support Harrison County in its appeal.
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Information from: WLOX-TV, https://www.wlox.com
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