Wilmington officials will again consider dipping into savings for money that's expected to be reimbursed to pay for the aftermath of Hurricane Florence.

On the Wilmington City Council's agenda for Tuesday is an ordinance that requests $8.5 million for costs related to debris removal, repairs to city-owned buildings and their contents, and employee compensation. The agenda item comes after the council approved a request Oct. 2 for $9 million from the same fund for debris removal and other recovery costs.

"The estimated debris removal and monitoring costs can be as high as $20 million. In addition to the debris, the city has several buildings and its contents that need repairs or replacement. These costs are estimated to be about $5 million," wrote Sterling Cheatham in a memo to the council.

Hurricane Florence made landfall Sept. 14 near Wrightsville Beach. Cheatham stated in the memo that city administrative offices were closed Sept. 12-23.

"During this time, approximately 800 of our essential personnel risked being away from their families and homes to serve the citizens of this community. City Policy 202 (General Compensation Plan) provides the City Manager with the authority to recognize employees through an award or bonus. Therefore to recognize the hard work and sacrifices that all of our essential personnel made during Hurricane Florence, all non-exempt/hourly essential personnel will be awarded half-time bonus pay for all hours worked during the period of City closure. Exempt/salaried essential personnel will be awarded bonus leave time for half of all hours worked during the period of City closure," Cheatham stated.

The city's debt service fund has adequate fund balance to temporarily loan the general fund $8.5 million to be repaid with a reimbursement from FEMA, according to the memo.

"We estimate this repayment could be in the next fiscal year," Cheatham stated.

As municipalities continue to consider the ramifications of the storm, area counties are asking residents to report storm damage to tax offices.

Pender County officials announced Friday that the county tax department is finalizing Pender's 2019 revaluation, which will be effective January 2019. The tax office is attempting to capture significant storm-related damages caused by the hurricane, the announcement stated.

"We need our property owners in Pender County to report damage to us,” said Justian Pound, Pender County Tax Assessor, in a release. “If we know about damages now we will attempt to reflect those damages that are still affecting property as of January 1. We know our properties have been impacted across the county, so please contact the tax office at 910-259-1221.”

Pound said in the release that the 2019 evaluation notice would do the department’s best to reflect damages. However, residents will always have the right to appeal that notice. Instructions for appeal will be included in the 2019 valuation notice.

In a similar notice, New Hanover County officials stated, "Residents who sustained any property damage from Hurricane Florence should submit a property damage report to the New Hanover County Tax Department. Properties that have major damage or repairs that are not completed by December 31, 2018, may be considered for an adjustment in the 2019 tax year. This will not apply to current tax bills, but may apply to tax bills for next year. The online report can be accessed and submitted on the tax website."