Suffolk News-Herald

Although recovering from Hurricane Isabel will have a hefty price tag, the city will recover most – if not all – local money it invests in the cleanup.

City Finance Director Christine Ledford on Wednesday asked the Suffolk City Council to allocate $4.5 million in city funds to help foot the bill for the storm cleanup. Council members are expected to act on the resolution during its Oct. 15 meeting.

Also, the funds, which would be transferred from the city’s unappropriated fund balance, would have no negative impact on the city’s financial situation, she said.

&uot;The fact that we expect to recover it all is an important factor,&uot; said Ledford. &uot;We have worked hard from a financial standpoint so we can afford to do this. It will not have that big an impact from a financial impact.

&uot;The FEMA process is long process,&uot; she continued. &uot;We expect full recovery by the end of the fiscal year.&uot;

Much of the funding will be used to remove storm debris, she said. It will also cover immediate expenses, such as replacing the roof on the Whaleyville Fire Department.

It will also cover the overtime incurred with the fire, police and other city departments during the incident.