Starke County’s emergency management agency director can apply for some reimbursable state grants without waiting for formal approval from the county commissioners. Ted Bombagetti told them Monday the state frequently advertises reimbursable grants with short application deadlines. The commissioners agreed he can apply for grants of up to $25,000 without formal action in a meeting.
Bombagetti still has to notify the commissioners by telephone and bring the application to their next meeting for formal approval. The grants covered by the new policy are reimbursable, and the county typically gets money back within 30 days of submitting proof of purchase to the state. The commissioners agreed they do not want to miss out on their share of items like generators and other useful equipment because of a cumbersome bureaucratic process.
