Commissioners table Phillips & Jordan debris contract review after public complaints of landowner damage

Appling County commissioners voted to table final action on a Phillips & Jordan debris contract and asked county legal counsel to compare the firm’s newly provided addenda with the currently signed contract.

Residents told the commission they contend crews working under the hurricane debris clean-up removed and topped trees beyond the county right-of-way and without owner notification. Melanie Mobley Griffiths and her sister, Miranda Taylor, said two virgin timber trees on their family property were cut and that crews used equipment that came onto private land beyond ditch-to-ditch limits. They said attempts to obtain contractor and supervisor information met with limited success and that they had documented the damage with photographs.

Staff described the county’s agreement as a piggyback contract that mirrors Forsyth County’s contract with Phillips & Jordan. County counsel and staff identified two addenda — a contract affidavit and exhibit F (certification regarding lobbying) — that arrived late; legal review was requested so counsel can confirm the county is not exposed to additional liabilities. Commissioners asked the county manager and counsel to contact Phillips & Jordan and seek clarification and potential remediation for landowners who claim property damage.

Several commissioners said they had received complaints about inconsistent contractor performance across the county, and one commissioner suggested the county consider doing some debris removal work itself to reduce contractor costs and ensure accountability, while acknowledging capacity limits and FEMA reimbursement complexities.

The board instructed legal counsel to compare the new documents with the existing contract and tabled the matter until counsel and staff complete that review.