House of Delegates Speaker Tim Armstead wants a review of the RISE WV program, which was set up to help get relief funds to victims of 2016 floods. Staff photo by Rusty Marks
By: Rusty Marks | Posted: May 24, 2018 | Source: WV News
CHARLESTON — Officials in Kanawha County are joining state lawmakers in asking for an investigation and audit of RISE WV, an organization set up to help funnel relief to people affected by June 2016 floods.
Officials in the office of Gov. Jim Justice acknowledged this week that a $17 million contract involving RISE WV was improperly executed. According to media reports, the contract involved Mississippi-based Horne LLP, a consultant hired to help West Virginia get grant money to help with flood recovery. June 2016 flooding in West Virginia left 23 people dead and destroyed or damaged thousands of homes and businesses.
But despite RISE WV being set up to help get money to people affected by flooding, Kanwaha County Commission President Kent Carper said Wednesday that people who need it most have not seen any money.
“I am completely dissatisfied with the performance of Horne LLP, (also known as) RISE WV, and the efforts they have made to help citizens of Kanawha County that were affected by the flooding that occurred two years ago,” Carper said. “These citizens deserve to be helped so they can have their homes back.”
According to Kanawha County planning officials, at least 288 Kanawha County residents asked for assistance through RISE WV and have not been approved. According to Carper’s office, planning officials cannot get information on the applications from RISE WV.
“I want answers,” Carper said. “I believe the Legislature and the Legislative Auditor’s Office should consider this matter and determine if RISE WV has been paid for services they have actually performed.”
Carper sent letters to state Senate President Mitch Carmichael and Legislative Auditor Aaron Allred on Wednesday asking for an audit and investigation of RISE WV.
“I believe this organization, including its management by the Department of Commerce, needs a full legislative review with public hearings with ample time to determine what has been done to help the citizens affected by the floods and to determine how grant funds were spent and if they were spent appropriately,” Carper wrote.
Carper joins Carmichael and state House of Delegates Speaker Tim Armstead, R-Kanawha, in asking for a review of the organization. Armstead’s district includes Elkview and Clendenin, two of the communities hit hardest by flooding.
Armstead and Carmichael sent a letter to co-chairmen of the Legislature’s Joint Legislative Committee on Flooding on Wednesday asking the committee to look into RISE WV.
“I am sure you are aware of the concerns that have been raised concerning the operation of the West Virginia Rise program and the tremendous delays in using the available funding to assist those affected by the June 2016 flood,” Carmichael and Armstead said in a letter to flooding committee co-chairmen Sen. Ed Gaunch, R-Kanawha, and Del. Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay.
“Many questions and concerns have arisen regarding the management of the West Virginia Rise program, contracts awarded by the program and use of funding the program is charged with administering,” Armstead and Carmichael said. “We are, therefore, requesting that the Joint Legislative Committee on Flooding hold one or more public meetings to examine management of the West Virginia Rise program at the earliest opportunity.”
State Commerce Secretary Woody Thrasher did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.
An official in the Commerce department was reportedly fired following alleged contract irregularities related to the RISE WV program.
An attempt to obtain comment from Horne LLP wasn’t immediately successful.
Staff Writer Rusty Marks can be reached at 304-415-1480 or email at rmarks@statejournal.com
