§ 166A-19.13.  Data collection, reporting, use of State and federal funds.

(a) The Department of Public Safety shall establish mechanisms to regularly solicit input from entities receiving federal or State disaster recovery funds regarding ways to improve the administration of the funds and associated programs. The mechanisms may include surveys and focus groups.

(b) By December 1, 2020, the Department of Public Safety shall modify its policies and procedures for disaster recovery to do the following:

(1) Where permitted by State law and administrative rule, require the Office of Recovery and Resiliency (Office) to use cost as a factor when awarding contracts for professional services that may be eligible for reimbursement from federal funds. Contracts subject to Article 3D of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes are exempt from this subsection.

(2) Establish minimum competencies for staff who administer the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program, including experience with either traditional CDBG programs or CDBG-DR programs.

(3) Describe how the input obtained from the mechanisms established in subsection (a) of this section will be incorporated into revisions of its policies and procedures.

(c) By January 1, 2020, the Office of Recovery and Resiliency (Office) shall develop performance metrics for all entities receiving federal or State disaster recovery funds, including the following:

(1) Total number of projects managed overall.

(2) Outreach and intake metrics.

(3) Amount of disaster recovery funds spent on administrative activities.

(4) Amount of disaster recovery funds disbursed on behalf of recipients. (2019-250, s. 3.5(b).)