Posted on January 21, 2026
More than a year after hurricanes Helene and Milton bore down on Anna Maria Island with a 3-4 foot storm surge and 80 mph winds, Bradenton Beach is still waiting on FEMA reimbursements for repairs, with city officials disputing federal cost estimates far lower than contractor repair estimates.
Police Chief John Cosby, who serves as public works director and emergency management chief, told city commissioners Jan. 15 that FEMA is challenging 14 reimbursement projects tied to damages from Helene and Milton. Six projects were denied and are headed to appeal and eight others were being resubmitted through an “errors and omissions” process that allows FEMA applicants to correct or clarify documentation and scope of work.
The city is awaiting more than $1 million in FEMA reimbursements. Of that amount, Cosby said $500,000 remains in dispute, while the remainder has been obligated and is moving through the payment process, which involves the state.
Most of the disputed projects involve roadway repairs, particularly on side streets damaged by storm surge. Cosby cited 11th Street South as an example. The city submitted a repair estimate of about $102,000 but FEMA later reassessed the work at roughly $13,000.
Cosby said the city had little clarity on the qualifications of FEMA personnel who assessed the costs.
He also said FEMA’s estimates fail to reflect construction standards required in coastal communities. For instance, he said, typical roadways might use a 12-inch base compacted to 8 inches, but island roadways require a 16-inch base compacted to 12 inches because of saltwater exposure and soil conditions.
Additional disputes involve street ends at the city’s north end along Gulf Drive, which FEMA initially classified as parking areas. Cosby said the city has provided surveys dating to 2017 showing roads.
The reimbursement delays have placed pressure on finances. Cosby said the city used about 70% of its reserves to recover from the 2024 storms and now sits below its target reserve level of $2.3 million.
While the city works to rebuild reserves, Cosby said Bradenton Beach does have access to a $5 million line of credit secured after the 2024 storm season that has not been used.
Also, Cosby said redevelopment and tax revenues are expected to rebound, but more slowly than anticipated, as some property owners continue to negotiate insurance claims and contractor shortages persist.
