It could be quite some time before the county is able to obtain a new generator for the Washington County Convention Center.
According to the county administrator’s report At Monday’s Washington County Board of Supervisors meeting, the cost of the generator needed for the Washington County Convention Center may not be covered entirely by the Hazard Mitigation Grant as previously anticipated due to unexpected high costs to replace it.
The Washington County Convention Center is the county’s main disaster shelter and is in need of a new generator, as well as the county administrator office.
Back in September, it was reported the cost of the two generators was roughly $375,000 according to David Burford, director of the Emergency Management Division, of which 75% would be paid for by the grant.
The Emergency Management division was in the process of completing the grant application during that time.
To qualify for mitigation grants, state and local governments are required to develop and implement hazard mitigation plans.
However, the board this week was told the generator needed to support the Washington County Convention Center may cost as much as $650,000.
Also at Monday’s meeting, board members approved the county’s solid waste patrol officer, Laura Moore’s request to advertise for rescheduling of the public hearing originally set for later that same morning. The public hearing will now take place at 10 a.m. Dec. 2.
