The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Tuesday, May 19, unanimously approved the establishment of the Los Angeles County Disaster Recovery Rebuild Authority, which will become the key coordinating entity to unify recovery efforts.
In February, supervisors directed several county departments to create a draft ordinance that would establish the authority. Supervisor Kathryn Barger and Lindsey Horvath, who represent communities impacted by the Eaton and Palisades fires, co-authored the motion creating the rebuild authority.
Today’s board action formally established the rebuild authority. Effective immediately, it will be staffed with a specialized team of 13 full-time positions. Supervisor will receive ongoing reports on progress, rebuilding metrics, resource utilization and any barriers that require board action.
The authority will serve as the county’s unified coordinating body for disaster recovery with the mission of rebuilding fire-impacted unincorporated communities.
“The Rebuild Authority will consist of a a lean, mission-driven team with a singular focus: cutting through red tape, accelerating the rebuilding of public infrastructure, and making sure every dollar of local, state, and federal funding available is put to work for the families and communities still struggling to return home,” Barger said in a statement. “Our residents have shown incredible resilience. They deserve a fully funded, seamless County system working night and day to get them back.”
According to Barger, the county faces more than $2 billion in public infrastructure restoration costs including streets, septic, sewers, undergrounding of utilities and private and municipal water districts.
“Last month I went to DC, I met directly with our president along with Mayor Bass. We brought our request for $8 billion for the county, similar to that of the city (of LA). We were heartened by the report we were given,” Barger said during the meeting.
Staff reporter Steve Scauzillo contributed to this report.