EMA funds shall be allocated to eligible EMOs as prescribed in this section.

(1) EMPG funds and successor/supplemental federal emergency management assistance funds: EMPG and successor/supplemental federal emergency management assistance funds shall be allocated to eligible EMOs on a per capita basis modified by the allocation methodology set forth in this subsection. Per capita determinations for county and city EMOs shall be based on the official population estimates annually established by the Washington state office of financial management (OFM) under RCW 43.62.020. Per capita determinations for tribal EMOs shall be based on the population estimates established by the OFM Small Area Estimates Program for tribal areas.

(a) EMD is to retain the federally authorized percentage of these funds for Management and Administration (M&A). From the remaining amount, the director shall determine the amount of funding available for EMD operational costs and allocation to EMOs in consultation with the advisory group.

(b) The process for determining allocations to EMOs is a two-step process. First, the amount of funding allocated to least populated counties is to be determined in accordance with this subsection. Second, the amount of funding allocated for the least populated counties is to be subtracted from the total amount of funding available for allocation to EMOs. The remainder is the amount of funding available for allocation to the remaining counties, cities in those counties and to tribes, which will be allocated on a per capita basis.

(c) Minimum amount that will be awarded. Under the allocation methodology set forth in this subsection:

(i) No county or city EMO will receive an award of these funds unless it qualifies for an award of at least ten thousand dollars;

(ii) No county or city EMO will receive an award of these funds unless it can provide a fifty percent match of at least ten thousand dollars; and

(iii) No city located in a least populated county will receive an award of these funds.

These limitations do not apply to tribal EMOs.

(d) Allocation methodology. The amount of funding available to EMOs will be allocated to least populated counties as follows:

(i) Special consideration is to be given to least populated counties due to the diverse population range of counties in the state. These counties would not benefit from a per capita allocation. Except as provided in (d)(iv) of this subsection, least populated counties are those counties that will not receive at least eighteen thousand dollars in funding using a per capita allocation.

(ii) Least populated counties shall receive an allocation of EMPG and successor/supplemental federal funding in an amount to be determined by the director consistent with this subsection. These counties meeting eligibility requirements need assurance of a reliable level of such funding, with the target amount of funding being at least eighteen thousand dollars. The intent is for the award amount combined with the fifty percent match requirement to allow for employment of a half-time dedicated emergency management professional.

(iii) The amount selected for allocation to least populated counties beyond the target amount is to be commensurate with the amount of these funds available for statewide county and city EMO funding, except as limited by (d)(v) of this subsection. For example, if the amount of these funds available for allocation to county and city EMOs increases, allocations to the least populated counties will be proportionately increased, except as limited by (d)(v) of this subsection.

(iv) If the amount selected for allocation to least populated counties is greater than eighteen thousand dollars, that amount shall be used for determining what counties are designated as a least populated county for purposes of this subsection.

(v) These counties shall not receive awards greater than counties that do not fall into this category.

(vi) To preserve the minimal amount of funding available to these counties, cities located within these counties shall not be allocated EMPG or successor/supplemental federal funds. These cities shall collaborate with their county to sustain and improve emergency management programs and capabilities.

(e) Match requirements:

(i) The EMO shall meet all matching fund requirements associated with receipt of the funds only through a hard, dollar-for-dollar, match from a dedicated EMO emergency management budgeted fund;

(ii) The match shall not include any funds otherwise prohibited for such use by federal funding requirements; and

(iii) If an EMO is unable to meet the matching fund requirements, its award will be reduced to the amount it is able to meet, but no award shall be made to a county or city EMO unless it can provide a fifty percent match of at least ten thousand dollars.

(iv) Examples:

(A) If an EMO allocation is eighteen thousand dollars but only a match of eleven thousand dollars can be met, the award will be reduced to eleven thousand dollars.

(B) If a county or city EMO allocation is eighteen thousand dollars but a match of only nine thousand five hundred dollars can be met, the award will be zero.

(f) Phase-in of funding methodology: During each of the first three years following the effective date of this rule, application of this allocation methodology shall create no more than a thirty-three percent incremental change each year from the federal fiscal year 2012 EMPG allocation until fully implemented in the third year, at which time this subsection shall cease to apply. The 2012 allocation is to be used as the base year for purposes of the phase-in calculations. EMOs that received one-time funding increases in 2012 will have their implementation base reduced by that amount for purposes of calculating the thirty-three percent incremental change each year.

(2) Other EMA funding: To the extent consistent with state law establishing, authorizing, and appropriating state funds available for allocation to EMOs for both sustaining and enhancing emergency management capabilities statewide, such funds shall be allocated by applying the methodology in subsection (1) of this section, as applicable.

(3) Unspent funding: Any allocated EMA funds not expended by, or accepted by, an EMO shall be reallocated among remaining eligible EMOs as the director determines will best sustain and enhance statewide emergency management capabilities.

(4) Review: The EMPG allocation methodology shall be reviewed at least every five years.