Appling County extends emergency declaration through March 24, approves debris contracts and equipment purchases

Appling County commissioners voted to extend a local declaration of emergency through March 24 to align with FEMA deadlines and to keep the county eligible for full reimbursement for storm-related work.

County staff told the board FEMA is currently providing 75% reimbursement and that the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) has been coordinating the remaining 25%; staff said the county had submitted an extension request and that April 24 (transcribed as “March 24” in the packet) is the grant-related deadline the county must meet to retain full reimbursement for certain projects.

To expedite debris removal, the board authorized county staff and the county attorney to execute agreements with three contractors the county solicited: Hunter Construction, Metrolina (Metroglana/Metrolina in the packet) and Corner Construction (sometimes referenced as Horner/HornD in the documents). The contractors will be engaged on an as-needed basis; staff described pay methods including hourly equipment rates (example: loader or dump truck with driver at an hourly rate) and, in at least one submission, cubic-yard pricing for hauling. Staff said contractor operations and scheduling will be directed by county staff.

The board approved two pieces of equipment as part of debris operations: a debris trailer from Down to Earth for $23,700 and a skid steer package from Mapling Motors for a total-package price staff listed at $94,150; both purchases were presented as eligible for FEMA reimbursement if procured within the FEMA window. Commissioners discussed tip and weight requirements and told staff to follow FEMA procurement rules. Staff also presented quotes for multiple skid-steer sizes and recommended the larger machine for capacity and durability.

Separately, the board approved entering a contract with Heart of Georgia to update the county’s five-year Hazard Mitigation Plan, a required document for FEMA grant eligibility. Staff said the county’s prior plan dated to 2020 and the update will include cities within the county and public hearings for stakeholders.

Actions taken at the meeting included motions to: adopt the local emergency declaration through March 24; allow the county manager and attorney to enter debris agreements with the three contractors; approve the $23,700 trailer purchase; approve the $94,150 skid-steer purchase; and approve the hazard mitigation-plan contract. In each case commissioners moved, seconded and approved the items on voice votes; the transcript does not include a complete roll-call tally.

Why it matters: county staff said meeting the FEMA deadline preserves higher reimbursement levels and that the contractor lineup, equipment purchases and updated mitigation plan are intended to accelerate recovery and future grant eligibility.