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Commission authorizes use of county contractors to pursue FEMA private property debris removal after Team Rubicon demobilized
Summary
Following Team Rubicon's April 22 demobilization, commissioners approved using existing debris‑removal contractors to pursue FEMA private property debris removal (PPDR) for properties that requested help after Hurricane Helene. Staff said 138 properties remain on the list; owners must provide proof of ownership, show the work is not covered by
Augusta-Richmond County commissioners approved staff requests to pursue FEMA’s private property debris removal (PPDR) process for properties left unserved after Team Rubicon demobilized, as county leaders seek reimbursement for Hurricane Helene cleanup.
The administrator told commissioners that Team Rubicon provided a remaining list of addresses when the volunteer group demobilized April 22. After verifying those addresses, staff counted 138 private properties on the list; staff asked the commission to authorize use of existing city debris contractors under the PPDR program so work could be completed before FEMA’s June 30 reimbursement cutoff.
Administrator Allen described the process and eligibility requirements: property owners must sign a legal right‑of‑entry granting FEMA permission to authorize work, provide proof of ownership, and demonstrate that insurance does not cover the debris removal. “Those are the regulations that are required,” Allen said, noting FEMA retains final approval of which properties qualify for reimbursement.
Commissioner Don Clark asked whether the county could add more properties to the list and whether nonresponsive owners could be handled. Allen said expanding beyond the list of 138 could jeopardize meeting the June 30 deadline and might leave the city responsible for costs that FEMA would not reimburse. For unresponsive owners, the administrator said code enforcement would attempt outreach at individual properties.
Mayor Pro Tempore Wayne Guilfoyle described a constituent with an estimated 30–40 truckloads of debris who was unable to secure help; staff confirmed some residents had to rely on the city or private resources after encountering payment or eligibility issues with contractors. Commissioners discussed the possibility of Team Rubicon returning to provide targeted assistance; Commissioner Clark said he had spoken with Team Rubicon’s state leader, who expressed interest in limited follow-up work.
A motion to authorize staff to proceed with PPDR work using existing contractors was made by Mayor Pro Tempore Wayne Guilfoyle and seconded by Commissioner Catherine Smith Rice; the clerk recorded the motion carried with Commissioner Mason absent. Staff cautioned that FEMA was still finalizing aspects of how PPDR requests would be handled and that reimbursement for particular properties was not guaranteed.
Staff also told commissioners that root‑ball removals require specialized equipment and are being handled separately under the county’s debris operations; schedules for those crews were not provided in the meeting record.
Next steps identified at the meeting include obtaining signed rights‑of‑entry from qualifying property owners, verification of ownership and insurance status by staff, deployment of county contractors where FEMA eligibility is met, and follow‑up outreach for vacant or nonresponsive properties via code enforcement.
