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by Kimberly King
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Nearly $5 million in unused Helene recovery funds could be redirected into a new statewide disaster response fund under a proposal moving through the North Carolina legislature. The move has prompted questions from some lawmakers about whether the money should remain dedicated to western North Carolina recovery efforts.
Rep. Eric Ager voiced opposition to the proposal, saying any money already allocated to western North Carolina shouldn’t be diverted to other parts of the state.
A new Senate bill would transfer about $4.9 million in unspent Helene recovery money into a State Fire Marshal Future Disaster Response fund aimed at helping fire and rescue departments across North Carolina improve disaster preparedness.
The money comes from the legislature’s second Helene relief package, previously approved by lawmakers.
“I heard about it, actually, this morning,” Ager said from the statehouse. “The bill was filed late on Thursday, which was the last day to file bills."
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The legislation, sponsored by Senate Majority Whip Todd Johnson, would repurpose the remaining funds for use by the state fire marshal’s office.
“We all know that not enough money has flowed into WNC,” Ager said. “I think we’re less than 15% of the damage from the storm.”
Ager questioned how the proposed fund would be administered.
“The proposal allows the state fire marshal to, from what I can tell, basically do whatever he wants to with it,” he said.
The bill states that fire and rescue departments statewide could apply for funding to improve disaster preparedness and response capabilities.
“We’ve got people who are still working out of trailers,” said state Rep. Mary Belk, the Democratic House caucus chair representing Mecklenburg County. Belk said she believes recovery funds should continue to support western North Carolina communities impacted by Helene.
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“Now we’re going to take this fund and we’re going to give it to somebody else who’s going to determine where that fund goes anywhere in the state of North Carolina — I don’t think that’s right,” Belk said.
News 13 reached out to Senator Johnson, the lead bill sponsor, for comment, but did not receive a response.
A spokesperson for State Fire Marshal Brian Taylor said in a statement that the money is not being diverted from western North Carolina.
“Under the Hurricane Helene grant program, the State Fire Marshal awarded the full $50,000 to every eligible applicant, fully utilizing the program as intended,” the statement said. “This investment is about improving coordination, readiness, and the ability to protect lives and property across North Carolina.”
News 13 obtained a spreadsheet showing nearly 300 fire and rescue departments received $50,000 grants for damaged equipment, facilities and wildfire preparedness. The original program included $18 million for those grants.
But with millions left unspent, Ager said the money should, instead, be redirected to other ongoing recovery needs in the western part of the state. Ager said legislators are working on a third Helene recovery package. He said he expects additional scrutiny in the coming weeks of unused Helene funds from former aid packages funded by state dollars.
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