An ice storm that pummeled the state’s largest city qualifies Sioux Falls for federal disaster aid, but not all leaders think the city should accept the money. The discussions happen in light of a devastating tornado in Oklahoma.
Sioux Falls is spending millions cleaning up and restoring the city following April’s extreme snow and ice storm. The city qualifies for some reimbursement from FEMA. But councilors disagree on whether Sioux Falls should accept the money for a small-scale disaster, when the city has reserve money and other parts of the country face bigger disasters.
"In my 15 years in the business, I’ve never heard of a governmental entity turning down assistance from the federal government for disaster aid," Sioux Falls emergency manager Regan Smith says.
Smith says it’s up to the city council and the mayor to make the decision about FEMA funding. He says the city keeps track of costs for storm cleanup, regardless of whether federal reimbursement is an option.
"We’re all in the declaration together, but each governmental agency, whether it’s a county, a city, a township or a rural electric or even a private, non-profit, each of those entities are a separate applicant to the program," Smith says.
Smith says that means Sioux Falls’ decision wouldn’t prevent other counties or communities from accepting the FEMA aid.