FEMA Should Recover $4.1 Million of Public Assistance Grant Funds Awarded to Orlando Utilities Commission — Hurricane Charley (

Our audit objective was to determine whether the Utility accounted for and expended Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant funds according to Federal regulations and FEMA guidelines. The Utility received a Public Assistance award of $17.1 million from the Florida Division of Emergency Management (State), a FEMA grantee, for damages resulting from Hurricane Charley, which occurred in August 2004. The award provided 90 percent FEMA unding for debris removal activities, emergency protective measures, repair oft he electric transmission and distribution system, repair/replacement of buildings and equipment, and other disaster related activities. The award consisted of 231arge projects and 23 small projects.