Jo Duckworth, emergency management coordinator in Union County, alerted the Union County Board of Supervisors last week she would be asking for more money in her budget request this fiscal year.

How much more? About $20,000.

Duckworth explained the reason for the increased budget request is because normally she receives a Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) issued by the federal government. Duckworth said she uses that $20,000 EMPG grant in her annual operating budget. However, this year, it’s unknown whether Congress will issue that grant.