Meeting Type: BCC Regular Meeting
Meeting Date: 10/20/2026
Item Status: New
From: Tom Tyler, EMA Director
Submitted by: Danon Smith, Emergency Management Officer
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ITEM TITLE
Title
FY 2027 Joint Funding Agreement with U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey for Gaging Stations
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STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Take the following actions:
1) Approve the annual U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Joint Funding Agreement (JFA) for Water Resources Investigations between the Baldwin County Commission and the U.S. Geological Survey Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center, U.S. Department of the Interior, which provides for the operation and maintenance of continuous-record stage gaging stations at the following locations:
Magnolia River at U.S. Highway 98 near Foley, Styx River at County Road 64 near Loxley, Styx River at Seminole, and Fish River near Marlow, a continuous-record rain gage on the Fish River near Silverhill in Baldwin County, Alabama; and the Intercoastal Waterway at Gulf Shores in Baldwin County, Alabama, during the period of October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027, and;
2) Authorize the Chairman to sign the Agreement and any other documents related to this Agreement.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Background: The U.S. Geological Survey provides for the operation and maintenance of continuous-record stage gaging in Baldwin County for the continued operation and maintenance of constant-record stage gaging stations. These monitoring stations are accessible via the Internet and are monitored daily by the National Weather Service. The stream gages aid in the early warning of flooding in flood-prone areas, as well as aiding in the reduction of flood insurance costs by providing Community Rating System (CRS) points to Baldwin County. This is a recurring contract paid annually by the Baldwin County Commission.
Previous Commission action/date: N/A
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Total cost of recommendation: $89,670.00
Budget line item(s) to be used: 10052300.51500 Contract Services
If this is not a budgeted expenditure, does the recommendation create a need for funding? N/A
LEGAL IMPACT
Is legal review necessary for this staff recommendation and related documents?
No.
Reviewed/approved by: N/A
Additional comments: N/A
ADVERTISING REQUIREMENTS
Is advertising required for this recommendation? No.
If the proof of publication affidavit is not attached, list the reason: N/A
FOLLOW UP IMPLEMENTATION
For time-sensitive follow up, select deadline date for follow up: October 20, 2026
Individual(s) responsible for follow up: Administration and EMA Staff
Action required (list contact persons/addresses if documents are to be mailed or emailed): Administration - Prepare correspondence and obtain the Chairman's signature on 2 original Agreements and retain one original for Administration records.
Send one original agreement to:
Via U.S. Mail and Email - (gs-w-lmg_agreements@usgs.gov)
U.S. Geological Survey
ATTN: Ms. My-Chae May
3535 S. Sherwood Forest Boulevard, Suite 120
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70816
cc: Tom Tyler, Danon Smith, Frank Lundy, Audra Mize
Additional instructions/notes: Admin - upload agreement to Contracts.