Mayor’s Column July 13, 2024
Rohn Bishop, Mayor of Waupun
Hello Waupun!
As we all know, on June 22, 2024, the City issued a Disaster Declaration due to flooding caused by significant rainfall. Let’s start with why the City would issue this type of declaration. When events like this happen, we have a team that is continually evaluating conditions. As conditions worsen, we may choose to issue a declaration like the one issued on June 22 because it allows us to quickly make emergency expenditures and bypass normal procedural requirements related to budgeting and contracting. It also allows us to issue orders to protect life and/or property, and longer-term, it allows us to potentially access state or federal reimbursement if some form of emergency funds are made available to support recovery.
When we move into emergency response mode, we respond first and need to be able to fund the costs associated with that response as an unplanned expenditure. On June 22, we encountered the need to expend additional resources related to the following: overtime for crews that worked to assist with flooding; dumpsters for damaged flood items – currently 25 dumpsters ordered that hauled away 96 tons of waste; damage – crews have or are still in the process of repairing items damaged such as the driveway at Shaler Park and still need to evaluate infrastructure in some areas like the walk path near Pine Street Park, which has remained mostly under water since June 22nd due to ongoing heavy rain. Also, there are many unknowns that may not be immediately apparent at the onset of an event like the one experienced on June 22. For example, things like roadways and bridges can be damaged during high water events but conditions cannot usually be assessed until flood waters recede. All of this can add up to substantial unplanned expenses that will need to be paid for with few options to fund the expenditures. To minimize the burden on taxpayers, our goal is always to try to recover as many of these types of unplanned expenditures as possible using one of two sources of funding available to local governments and for that reason the emergency declaration is a tool that is used in our response and recovery process.
There is some false information that is circulating right now that suggests that if the City only did more that funding would arrive to help homeowners. This is false information. There are two possible funding sources that may become available to us, depending on the severity of the situation. These include:
1. FEMA: A Federal disaster declaration is necessary to access FEMA Funds. A Federal disaster declaration has NOT been issued related to the June 22 event, removing this option from the table.
2. WI Disaster Fund: The Wisconsin Disaster Fund (WDF) is a state-funded reimbursement program that allows local governments to recoup costs incurred while responding to and recovering from disaster incidents. There is a threshold of expenditure that must be met (different amounts for Dodge and Fond du Lac Counties based on population). If we qualify, the state reimburses 70% of eligible costs after the local government submits a completed application. That application is currently being worked on and will be filed if we meet the thresholds and once all costs are recorded. The fund does not cover individuals, businesses, the agricultural sector, costs associated with snowstorms, damages covered by insurance, nor does it provide funds for mitigation activities. So what does it pay for? The fund reimburses public disaster costs under three categories:
a. Category A Debris Clearance;
b. Category B Protective Measures; and
c. Category C Road and Bridge Repair.
The Mayor and city staff have been in contact with Emergency Management Directors from both counties since the onset of the June 22nd event and are working with county officials. As noted previously, we must reach a minimum threshold by county to qualify for the WDF program and we will not make that determination until all repairs are complete and costs related to the event recorded.
What does this mean for homeowners? Homeowners and renters are responsible for protecting their personal property and should consider whether they have appropriate insurance coverage to manage their risks. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is an option available to City of Waupun residents because the City participates in NFIP. However, that is a separate policy from a person’s homeowners’ policy. Information pertaining to this program is available on the City’s website for those interested. Secondarily, homeowners should talk with their insurance agent about water backup coverage as part of their homeowner’s policy.
We know that this has been a frustrating series of events for all of us and what should be a 100-year flood event is occurring at more frequent intervals. WI-DNR data suggests this is true and their forecasts suggest that this pattern may be our new normal. We will continue to work to keep city costs as low as possible but do recommend that you evaluate your policies to determine how you can best manage risks to protect your property.
Thank you, Waupun
Mayor Rohn
