MICHELLE WILLARD, Post Staff Writer
Posted: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 3:41 pm

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is prepared to reimburse Murfreesboro for up to 75 percent of the clean-up cost from the Good Friday Tornado.

“To date, the city, including Water & Sewer, has incurred approximately $3,980,000 in expenses due to the tornado and estimates as additional $225,000 to complete,” Murfreesboro Chief Accountant Erin Tucker wrote in a letter to the city council.

The EF-4 tornado torn a 23-mile path through Rutherford County, caused more than $42 million in damage and two deaths Friday, April 10.

FEMA has concluded that more than $4 million of the city’s costs are eligible for reimbursement in past and future costs associated with the Good Friday Tornado.

At a reimbursement rate of 75 percent from the federal government, Murfreesboro is set to receive more than $3 million. The state of Tennessee will also shoulder 12.5 percent of the cost, bringing Murfreesboro’s total burden down to $506,472.96.

To receive the grant funds, the city council will vote Thursday night to approve a contract with the state.

During and immediately following the tornado, the city fielded between 800-900 emergency calls.

In the days following the tornado, city departments, along with 15 private contractors, removed more than 21 million pounds of debris from the tornado’s path. That total doesn’t count what individual volunteers removed from damaged homes and businesses.

Two weeks after the tornado, Gov. Phil Bredesen asked FEMA to declare Rutherford County and Murfreesboro a disaster area, making them eligible for federal funds.

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The council will also vote on amendments to the zoning ordinance and subdivision regulations.

As well as hold public hearings for:

- Ordinance 09-OZ-27 amending the Zoning Ordinance to modify the conditions of the Planned Residential Development (PRD) District for the Winslow Park at Berkshire Subdivision for the purpose of rerouting an alley originally planned between lots 51 and 52 to be developed southward along the rear of lots 52, 51 and 50 to Cottingham Drive. Map.

- Ordinance 09-OZ-28 to rezone land from General Office (OG) District to Highway Commercial (CH) District. Map.

- Ordinance 09-O-29 to amend the zoning resolution dealing with parking, queuing, and loading requirements. Proposed amendments.

- Ordinance 09-OA-30 to annex and consider a proposed Plan of Services for an area near West Thompson Lane and Northboro Court. Map.

Michelle Willard can be contacted at 615-869-0816 or mwillard@murfreesboropost.com.