WATERBURY, Vt. -
More than a year after Tropical Storm Irene ruined the Vermont state office complex in Waterbury, and leaders still don't know how much federal money is coming to rebuild it.
On Tuesday, they finally learned one option is off the table.
Members from the Federal Emergency Management Agency informed state leaders they won't be eligible for 90% reimbursement because they weren't deemed destroyed.
"It's not a big surprise," said Governor Peter Shumlin.
Governor Shumlin didn't think they would get that much, but still no one in his administration expected FEMA's announcement when we questioned Shumlin about it in his weekly news conference.
"Is there an update to the FEMA money coming later this week?" said FOX44/ABC22.
"I'm glad you asked that," said Shumlin, and his continued, "we don't have any additional news on a date for a dollar amount from FEMA than we had [Monday]."
FEMA leaders have been working at a site in Essex.
But after Superstorm Sandy came through, leaders say it's time to move these resources.
"Was this almost an effort to get things moving to get elsewhere around the country too?" said FOX44/ABC22.
"That's a great point, we're very mindful of that," said FEMA Coordinating Officer Mark Landry.
There are other options to help pay the $180-million dollar complex and mental hospital bill.
But still Vermont has 60 days to challenge FEMA's decision, although Shumlin isn't sure that's the best thing to do.
"I'm not sure that an appeal will be necessary to get the dollars that Vermont deserves," said Shumlin.
So when might Vermont learn how much money is coming?
FEMA leaders say they hope to give an answer by mid-January.
