Ascension Parish is about to receive a big batch of federal reimbursement dollars for money it shelled out for debris removal from the August flood.

U.S. Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., informed Parish President Kenny Matassa Thursday that the parish was about to receive $5.9 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Ken Dawson, parish chief administrative officer, told the Parish Council Thursday night about Matassas telephone conversation with Kennedy earlier in the day regarding the coming reimbursement dollars.

Were all very happy about that, that at least were getting some moneys back for all the moneys that were expended to assist the residents of Ascension," Dawson said. "It doesnt mean that is everything, but that at least has been released and we can put it back into the general fund."

In all, $9.02 million has been spent on debris removal for which the parish is seeking 90 percent reimbursement from FEMA, according to a tally by the parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.

We should be getting more, Dawson later told a council member who asked if more funds were expected from FEMA.

Council Chairman Bill Dawson said the first batch of FEMA dollars amount to a 92 percent reimbursement on $6.4 million in debris removal costs.

Parish officials are currently making final debris removal pass that they expect will not be eligible for reimbursement. The cost to the parish of the final pickup is expected to be about $165,000.

Follow David J. Mitchell on Twitter, @NewsieDave.

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Ascension Parish officials notified big federal check on its way for flood debris removal costs - The Advocate