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Council Bluffs official pleased with FEMA response

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April 8th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Council Bluffs has gotten $1 million in federal aid for flood repairs and expects to receive another $4 million to $5 million by month’s end. Finance director Art Hill said that the city is pleased with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s response to aid requests. He says the reimbursement process is moving better and faster than expected. Council Bluffs spent $19.5 million to fight the rising Missouri River for several months last year. Hill says he expects FEMA to provide $14 million in aid, with $1.8 million coming from the state. Most of that should be paid by the end of June. FEMA has denied a request for $750,000. Hill says the city won’t appeal, so Council Bluff’s total flood costs should be about $3.6 million.