ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — A North Carolina Emergency Management spokesperson confirms a Department of Government Efficiency program known as “Defend the Spend” is part of the review process for Federal Emergency Management Agency-approved Helene reimbursements for cities and counties.

News 13 has been reviewing a spreadsheet, provided by Senator Ted Budd’s office, featuring more than 250 projects, including FEMA-approved projects across western North Carolina.

The report indicates that the projects are “obligated” or approved for FEMA reimbursement funds, but not yet sent to cities and counties. The projects are reportedly part of the $64 million in funds FEMA officials approved and recently announced.

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During our reporting, following funding for Helene recovery, News 13 has reported on a yet-to-be-funded reimbursement to Madison County for a communications tower replacement. The project paid for by Madison County is listed on the spreadsheet as a line-item costing $575,734 and “obligated” or approved by FEMA on August 9.

County officials, including Madison County’s Chairman Matt Wechtel and Madison County Manager Rod Honeycutt, said they were certain NCEM had received the $575,734 from FEMA for the reimbursement but had not yet disbursed the funds.

“We cover each worksheet every Monday – FEMA and State update us in a virtual meeting,” said Honeycutt on Tuesday by text. “Funds are with the State now for just over three weeks.”

However, North Carolina Emergency Management spokesman Justin Graney said the funds aren’t accessible. He wrote the following in an email on Tuesday:

The $575,734 obligation to Madison County is currently in the DOGE “defend the spend” process. Once funds are transferred to the state government, the state will make the payment to Madison County.

Graney also clarified the term “obligated,” which is the term FEMA and other officials use when referencing FEMA-approved reimbursements.

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“Obligated does not mean that the funds are accessible by the State yet,” emailed Graney. “Once funding is ‘obligated,’ the State is required to provide several pieces of information to the federal government. A 30-day hold begins for additional requests for information from DOGE. The process between obligation and the ability to draw down on reimbursement funds can take 30-90 days.”

Four local leaders, Madison County Commission Chairman Matt Wechtel, Lake Lure Mayor Susan Pritchett, Haywood County Commission Vice Chair Brandon Rogers, and Waynesville council member Anthony Sutton, are part of a delegation in Washington, D.C. scheduled to meet with North Carolina’s Senate and Congressional delegation. The four have meetings scheduled with Senator Ted Budd, Senator Thom Tillis, Congressman Chuck Edwards and Congressman Tim Moore.

Pritchett said one project that’s a priority for Lake Lure is replacing the dam after Helene.

“Replacement for our dam is probably anywhere from $150 to $200 million,” said Pritchett. “The concrete is leaking. It’s a 100-year-old concrete dam. We’re worried about that where seismic activity is concerned and that happens in western North Carolina. In order to protect all those people from Lake Lure to Charleston, South Carolina, from flooding, it’s critical we have a dam that can withstand another hurricane.”

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“These bills are coming due faster than our fund balance can cover them,” said Wechtel.

“We’re going to be talking to the head of public assistance for FEMA and their process and how to expedite that process,” said Pritchett.

Budd has been advocating publicly in recent weeks for faster reimbursements.

“Let’s get the money that’s been approved out the door as of yesterday, this morning,” said Budd when speaking with News 13 on Monday. “Let’s make sure it gets into these towns’ accounts because they’re already in some cases millions of dollars behind and let’s get it in their accounts so they can pay their bills.”