City of Bonifay awarded vulnerability assessment grant

During its December 15 regular meeting, the Bonifay City Council approved acceptance of a $180,000 grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Resilient Florida Program to fund a citywide vulnerability assessment.

The Resilient Florida Program, managed by the Florida DEP, aims to assist counties, municipalities, and regional resilience entities in addressing the impacts of flooding and sea level rise. The program offers grants to analyze vulnerabilities and implement adaptation and mitigation projects. 

“I feel this will give us a more in depth study of what our vulnerable areas are in regards to mitigation, storm water, and such,” saId City Executive Assistant Sierra Smith, who helped coordinate applying for the grant. “This will also help us when applying for funding, especially through FEMA.” 

According to Smith, the vulnerability assessment would be contracted out, and the funding will be provided through a cost-reimbursement grant agreement, with no match obligation from the city. 

Mayor Larry Cook commended Smith for dedicating time to secure the funding. 

“This was a very complicated, time consuming grant. They are not easy to receive,” said Cook. We are really lucky that [Smith] took the time [to apply] and that we are going to receive that grant.”

The next regular meeting of the Bonifay town council is scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday, January 5.