JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Earlier this year, a Presidential Disaster Declaration was issued for 47 North Dakota counties to assist with damage created by heavy rainfalls in 2019.

With more than $3 million in road related damages reported across Stutsman County, the declaration would split costs among the federal level, county, and townships at a 75/10/15 split.

Stutsman County Auditor Nicole Meland stated they would need to have paperwork done up in accordance with FEMA.

Meland also added that with a cost share of 75 federal, 10 county, and 15 local, it may be difficult for townships to afford that.

Meland said the county could reach out to the state to see if they could increase their share in the declaration. Commissioner Dave Schwartz stated he and Commissioner Dennis Ova had been working on the road situation.

A letter was drafted by Daren Peterka with Interstate Engineering to make the request. Schwartz added that most of the projects included in the declaration may not get done.

Meland says there will be a point person who will work with officials in the county as they prepare paperwork for the projects in Stutsman County.