The Greeneville Water Commission this morning tabled action on an agreement for monies from the HEAL program, while waiting for verbiage in the contract between the Water Commission and Greene County to be finalized in order for the $14 million dollars to be released to the utility.
Greene County received $17.3 million in HEAL money in November, following requests from the Greeneville Water Commission (14 million) and Chuckey Utility District (2 million). The remaining $1.3 million is earmarked for debris cleanup in Greene County. Chuckey Utility District also has yet to receive its portion of the funds. The money is being held by Greene County and and drawing interest until it is released to those who submitted requests.
Water Commission Superintendent Laura White had told City Council members last week $300,000 is being spent monthly by the Greeneville utility, including covering flood related costs incurred to date.
While waiting on the financial relief through the HEAL program, the department has cut back to only necessary spending; White calling it hard to budget this year with so many unknowns.
HEAL PROGRAM ANNOUNCED AFTER FLOODING
Soon after the flooding in September, Governor Bill Lee announced the HEAL program, which stands for Helene Emergency Assistance Loan, a $100 million fund to directly serve the health and wellness of Tennesseans in the aftermath the hurricane. The program is basically a no-interest loan that provides funds to begin immediate repairs, without having to wait for FEMA reimbursements. In the past, FEMA payments have taken several years to come through. The HEAL program allows governments to begin necessary repairs immediately and pay the money back once FEMA payment is received.
Of the total amount, up to $35 million is to be used for water and wastewater infrastructure repair and $65 million is to be allocated for debris management across eligible counties.
Greene is one of 12 area counties eligible for the ten year no-interest loans.
In addition to Greene, other area counties eligible for assistance through the program are Washington, Unicoi, Cocke, Hawkins, Sullivan, Hamblen, Carter, Claiborne, Grainger, Jefferson and Johnson.
