NEENAH (NBC 26) — Neenah's Common Council unanimously approved a disaster declaration Wednesday, authorizing Mayor Brian Borchardt and city officials to spend up to nearly $2.9 million to speed up recovery efforts from last month's tornado.
The expenses include nearly $2 million budgeted to a disaster recovery company — Looks Great Services of Mississippi — for tree and debris removal.
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The state has requested FEMA assistance, but Borchardt encouraged residents not to rely solely on the agency.
"Have patience, but I assure you that I don't want anyone holding out hope that FEMA is going to come and hand you a $250,000 check," Borchardt said during Wednesday's meeting. "It's probably not going to happen. We're playing the process and we're doing those things and we'll keep our fingers crossed and keep you updated."
His office has been working on securing FEMA and state agency funds for the last two weeks.
"It's a gamble, we hope the federal government gives us some money back and makes people whole, but I'm learning this is a long process," Borchardt said.
City Finance Director Vicky Rasmussen said the city's cash reserves will cover the cost. She said Neenah has more than $6 million in cash reserves.
Here is the budget, which was listed on Wednesday's meeting agenda:
- $1,957,500- Looks Great Services of MS for Tree and Debris Removal
- $320,250-Thompson Monitoring Service and Grant Administration as required by FEMA
- $14,255- Fuel • $71,110- Fire Equipment
- $190,500- Overtime Estimate Departments-wide
- $5,000 – McMahon Interim Public Works Director
- $51,000 – Insurance Deductible Page 4 of 6
- $8,535 Emergency Generator Fuel for Water Utility
- Estimated Total $2,618,150 + 10% contingency = $2,879,965
Anastasia Horan returned to her Doty Island home this week. She considers herself fortunate compared to many of her neighbors.
"I like to say people, I might have holes in my roof but I have a roof. And a lot of my neighbors can't say the same," Horan said.
She says the emotional weight of recovery is shifting as time passes.
"It's almost like, week three is somehow harder in a different way in that the adrenaline wears off and you have to do the real work," Horan said.
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