If your municipality wants to complete a FEMA Public Assistance project differently than what is written in the project worksheet, you should contact VEM right away. FEMA must approve any change to the scope of work. If the project is not completed as described - including any hazard mitigation work - your municipality may have to repay some or all of the FEMA funding.
During the final VTrans site inspection, if the project is found to be different from what FEMA approved, the Department of Public Safety may:
- Request a FEMA scope change - FEMA may update the project worksheet to match the work actually done and require the municipality to repay part of the funding..
- Find the project ineligible - The State and FEMA may determine the project is not eligible for Public Assistance funding and require the municipality to repay all the funds.
- Investigate for misconduct - If a municipality used federal funds improperly, the State may investigate and apply penalties.
Misconduct is a serious legal issue. Using federal funds for personal gain or for anything other than the approved project is considered theft under federal law. Consequences can include:
- State actions: full repayment of funds, reporting to the Federal government, and placement on the State Debarment List (which blocks future State funding).
- Federal actions: criminal charges, fines, repayment, civil penalties, and placement on the Federal Exclusions List (which blocks future Federal funding).