Administrative Capability

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The administrative capability is defined as the ability to complete the necessary administrative elements of typical mitigation activities and project.Examples include theavailability of jurisdictional staffing, ability to document mitigation progress, grant reporting, and the existing organizational resources needed to implement mitigation strategies.

The analysis of the Administrative Capability Assessment indicated there is a limited to moderate administrative capability throughout Valley County. While the Valley County example suggests that administrative capability is related to the size of thejurisdiction, regional data suggests that administrative capability is not related to the size of the jurisdictions. In most cases and more than likely in Valley County, a jurisdiction’s administrative capability is dependent upon the makeup and relationships of the jurisdictionrather than the resources or population of the jurisdiction.

5.3.1 Recommendations

The enhancement of administrative capability may be achieved through county/municipal training, outreach, and mentoring. Specifically, sharing resources within jurisdictions might improve jurisdictions administrative capabilities. In addition, efforts to demonstrate the impacts of mitigation across a jurisdiction’s governmental functions might increase awareness and buy-in.Finally, training of jurisdictional personnel with regard to mitigation related programs and/or the purpose of mitigation can increase specific knowledge skills and abilities.

5.4 Political Capability

One of the most difficult and sensitive capabilities to evaluate involves the political will of a jurisdiction to enact meaningful mitigation policies and projects.The fiscal capability was defined as the level of interest that both the citizens and government officials of a given jurisdiction have in conducting mitigation projects. Examples of a political capability included the existence of special interest groups organized around disaster and/or hazard-related causes.The fact of a jurisdiction having recently had a significant or reoccurring event.The jurisdiction’s history of conducting mitigation projects and the willingness of elected officials to allocate resources to hazard disaster and/or mitigation projects.

According to the results of the self-assessment, ValleyCounty, and its participating jurisdictions had contrasting levels of political capability to enact meaningful and proactive mitigation actions.Comments provided in the self-assessment from county and municipal government officials indicated that while there is an interest in disaster mitigation activities, there are planning and resources barrierswhich impact the jurisdictions ability to implement comprehensive mitigation activities.

5.4.1 Recommendations

Political support from elected officials can prove to be critically important. Past events, including flooding, tornadoes, and major winter storms should be used to better educate elected officials regarding the merits of mitigation planning. When possible, local governments who have implemented hazard mitigation projects should attempt to assess their effectiveness following future events.
Documenting mitigation projects and policies that work is a high priority among FEMA officials. Therefore, following disasters, local governments should work with local groups like the silver jackets, the state, and FEMA officials to evaluate and showcase the success of past mitigation projects. The results should be presented to locally elected officials in order to provide real-world examples of how mitigation can protect lives and property.
Finally, county extension offices are resources for training, education, and validation.Working with the State Land Grant University, county extension offices can provide a wealth of knowledge concerning hazard impact and the steps to mitigate them.

5.5 Conclusions on Local Capability

The capability of jurisdictions in Valley County is different from jurisdiction to jurisdiction with like sized jurisdiction often claiming the various capabilities. County-level government and the larger municipal governments typically scored higher than smaller municipalities. In addition, larger municipalities tend to function independently.An important consideration in this plan update should be the concept of comprehensive planning with theintegration of mitigation planning efforts made both between and within the participating jurisdictions.

In addition to ensuring mitigationplanning efforts are integrated, strategies should be crafted to match the respective jurisdiction’s reality. For example, if a jurisdiction does not have the political will to mitigate the harm caused by high winds, i.e., building a storm shelter, strategies directly stating that the jurisdiction is to build a storm shelter will not be as successful as strategies aimed at fostering education and building consensus.Strategies should use a building block approach starting with a limited achievable goal and build up to larger goals and eventually achieve the ultimate goal. (Create awareness for the need of a storm shelter, identify partners, and build consensus regarding those who deem a storm shelter a worthy endeavor, identify funding concerning how to pay for the project, and then finally build the storm shelter)
The ValleyCounty Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update contained in this plan provides the vehicle to begin the process of having a true mitigation program. However, in order to succeed it will require clearly articulating the benefits of participating in and sustaining the mitigation planning process and related mitigation based programs. One of the best ways to obtain local buy-in and long-term success is the education, identification, and implementation of achievable mitigation actions. While promoting the mitigation plan is the responsibility of all agencies, it is highly recommended that the Valley County Disaster and Emergency Service Coordinator and other key stakeholder’s lead and promote this effort.