Fast Track Application Procedures

FMP – Flood Mitigation Program
FMC – Flood Mitigation Committee
BCC – Board of County Commissioners

  1. National Disaster declaration from President

  2. Municipality applies to NJ State – Office of Emergency Management (NJS-OEM) for disaster relief in the form of a “Letter of Intent” (LOI).  This is the first step in applying for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding.

  3. NJS-OEM sends LOI documentation to Morris County Flood Mitigation Program (FMP)
  4. Municipality is approved by NJS-OEM and applies for FEMA funding

  5. FEMA obligates monies with Municipality

  6. FEMA sends Municipal application and analysis to FMP

  7. FMP staff meets with Municipality to review FEMA application and Morris County FMP procedure going forward

  8. Municipality provides Public Hearing documentation and Municipal Resolution of support authorizing application to FMP for matching funds

  9. FMP staff presents application to Flood Mitigation Committee (FMC) for review at their monthly meeting

  10. If FMC would like to proceed, they provide Preliminary Approval for each Project Area requested which includes:
    • Slate of specific parcels, including “priority” and “alternate” properties, and corresponding lump sum amount for each Project Area
    • Estimate of County cost share, which includes acquisition and soft costs including demolition.
    • “at-risk” statement; soft costs only reimbursed on closed projects
  11. Morris County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) reviews FMC recommendation, if action is taken to proceed, BCC Resolution is passed which:
    • Lists Municipality, Project Area and specific properties therein
    • Lists match-funding requested per Project Area in lump sum format
    • Requests encumbrance of an estimated dollar amount to cover cost share and soft cost reimbursements
  12. FMP staff provides Procedural Letter to Municipality detailing acquisition process and list of required closing documents

  13. Municipality proceeds with landowner negotiations and all due diligence, i.e. appraisals, environmental analysis, surveys, etc. for the slate of specific parcels included in the Preliminary Approval and provides this documentation to FMP staff

  14. FMP staff reviews all required closing documents as per Procedural Letter

  15. When ready to close on an individual property, Municipality provides final cost information for the specific parcel, including:
    • Executed Sales Contract
    • Source of match funding to supplement MC funds
    • List of Soft Costs with receipts
    • Duplication of Benefits statement
  16. FMC reviews Municipal final cost information and gives Final Approval for specific parcel which includes:
    • Details of project and funding amounts approved (contract purchase price and soft costs)
    • Creation of Grant Agreement between MC and Municipality
  17. Municipality executes Grant Agreement with MC

  18. FMP staff creates a BCC Resolution for BCC review and action which requests:
    • Execution of Grant Agreement
    • Release of encumbered funds to Municipality for specific parcel’s closing
  19. Municipality confirms exact dollar amount for specific parcel acquisition and sets a closing date

  20. FMP staff sends release of funds request to Treasurer’s office

  21. FMP funds are wired to Municipality for closing

  22. Municipality demolishes home and provides copy of recorded Deed showing restrictions on specific parcel within 90 days of closing date