ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — North Carolina Governor Josh Stein announced five counties are getting more than $86 million for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure with FEMA grants and reimbursements. Cities getting funds include Waynesville, Woodfin, and Hot Springs.

The news comes after Stein and Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer met with North Carolina’s delegation in D.C., including Senator Ted Budd and Congressman Chuck Edwards.

NC LEADERS PUSH FOR FASTER FEMA AID IN D.C., MILLIONS IN APPROVED FUNDS REMAIN UNPAID

Manheimer, who headlined a North Carolina Mayor’s Association meeting on Thursday in Asheville at the Crowne Plaza, said meetings focused on Stein’s wish to get billions more in aid. But Manheimer said slow reimbursements for municipalities were also a topic. Specifically, questions persist around U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem’s policy on her office reviewing any federal expenditure over $100,000, which Manheimer pointed out as an issue two weeks ago.

“She or her staff, and we don’t know, has to approve any spending over $100,000,” Manheimer said. “It is not clear how that process works, but that is no longer the end of the process.”

There’s a second step with Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) called the “Defend the Spend” review, which News 13 has confirmed with the North Carolina Emergency Management division.

ASHEVILLE GETS $11M FEMA FUNDS TO BOOST WATER SYSTEM POST-HELENE, LEADERS SEEK MORE AID

The White House’s Executive Order establishing DOGE, which was initially created by Elon Musk, can delay state officials’ approval of FEMA-approved millions by up to 90 days.

“I’ve seen the email provided to the state,” said Manheimer of DOGE. “It just simply said these funds are under review for DOGE, and no other information is provided in terms of how long that will take, who is reviewing it, what process to expect.”

EXPERT CRITIQUES FEMA’S BUREAUCRATIC SLOWDOWN AMID WESTERN NC’S HELENE RECOVERY EFFORTS

FEMA falls under Kristi Noem’s office of Homeland Security.

The public document on the Executive Order for DOGE states that each federal agency will have teams of at least four DOGE officials with a DOGE team leader, an engineer, a human resources expert, and an attorney.

News 13 has made a public request with the state to review the email that comes from DOGE for the review of each FEMA-approved Helene-funded reimbursement. Manheimer, meanwhile, said she believes President Trump would be upset to hear of the delays caused by DOGE in getting western North Carolina money and help.

ANOTHER WNC LEADER SAYS HOMELAND SECRETARY’S OFFICE IS STALLING HELENE REIMBURSEMENTS

“My sense from the White House is they’d like Western North Carolina to recover as quickly as possible,” she said. “And I think the president himself would be disappointed to hear there’s a delay.”

Abigail Jackson, a communications liaison for the White House, responded to News 13’s request to ask President Trump if he knows about DOGE-caused delays for FEMA-approved funds. She wasn’t able to provide a response Thursday night, but indicated she would provide a statement.