ST. PAUL, MN – Governor Mark Dayton today authorized up to an estimated $85,875 in relief for Clearwater County from the State Disaster Assistance Contingency Account. The county experienced significant damage to public property caused by severe thunderstorms with high winds on July 21, 2017.

 

Aid from the contingency account will reimburse counties for public infrastructure repairs and clean-up costs. Under Minnesota law, the state will reimburse 75 percent of eligible costs for public infrastructure repairs and clean-up, with local governments responsible for covering the remaining 25 percent.

 

Governor Dayton’s letter can be read here.

 

In 2014, Governor Dayton signed legislation establishing the State Disaster Assistance Contingency Account to assist local communities after a natural disaster without a special session, even when federal aid is not available. The legislation also directs the state to cover the full Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding match for local governments in federally declared disasters. More information is available here.