Carter County approves multiple disaster-related payments as commissioners debate consultant costs and FEMA reimbursements

Carter County commissioners approved a slate of disaster-related payments and purchase orders during a commission meeting, including a $2.46 million invoice to the county's contracted debris-removal crew and several payments to bridge and road contractors, while commissioners and members of the public debated the costs and staffing behind consultant contracts used to manage the county's recovery efforts.

County officials and commissioners approved a $2,461,581.15 payment toward contracted debris removal (invoice to TFR / contracted debris crew). They also approved multiple bridge- and road-related payments to Landworks Construction Contractors, including a $572,479.84 invoice for installation and first-month rental of temporary bridges on Pogo Road and subsequent change-order payments. Commissioners approved a $300,000 purchase order to Shouse LLC for ongoing consulting services and a $300,000 purchase order to Thompson Consulting Services for training and additional approval-related expenses. The commission also approved a series of smaller check requests and purchase orders for signage, rental equipment, and supplies related to the Hilleen flood disaster.

Why it matters: These approvals move substantial expense through county lines while recovery work continues across the county. Several commissioners and members of the public pressed county staff and contractor representatives for clearer billing, scope and staffing information for the consultant contracts that are guiding the county’s FEMA reimbursement efforts.

Key votes and vendor payments

- TFR (contracted debris removal): approved payment request of $2,461,581.15 (debris removal invoice). Motion seconded by Aaron Frazier; outcome approved. - Landworks Construction Contractors: approved check request of $572,479.84 for installation and first-month rental of temporary bridges and later change orders and invoices, including a $125,850 check request to cover additional temporary-bridge change orders; motions seconded by Aaron Frazier and Leslie Hughes on respective items; outcomes approved. - Shouse LLC: approved purchase order of $300,000 from the Hilleen disaster expense line for ongoing consulting services; seconded by Leslie Hughes; outcome approved. - Thompson Consulting Services: approved purchase order of $300,000 for additional approval and training expenses; outcome approved. - Hingle Environmental Services LLC: approved purchase order of $240,188 for road repairs tied to Bluegrass Road Sites 1–3 at Bear Branch Road, conducted under a state contract (no bid required); outcome approved. - Multiple smaller approvals: LED signage and traffic-control payments to Sunbelt and others, Staples and Lowe’s purchase orders for disaster-related office and trailer repairs, monthly service POs for the Pogo Outpost trailer, and several check requests to local fire and emergency providers; most motions were seconded and approved.

Public comment and commissioner concerns

Several members of the public and at least one commissioner questioned consultant billing practices and the number of senior project managers appearing on invoices. Angie Odom asked whether the county had a per-diem or lodging limit and questioned charges for weekend stays and multiple billed personnel, saying, “So in that, you still have Christmas Eve, Christmas day, New Year’s, you know, you go all days and weekends…you still paid for them to stay. Well, that employee of Shouse is from Florida… it just seems somewhat ridiculous.” Odom asked the county to clarify contract terms and billing breakdowns.

County staff and several commissioners defended the consultant approach as necessary to document damage and maximize FEMA and state reimbursement. Commissioners pointed to the complexity and scale of the disaster, saying outside expertise helps prepare and file the documentation required to secure federal money that will reimburse many of these expenses. One commissioner summarized the argument for hiring consultants by telling colleagues to “go to the source” and speak with the project manager if they had questions.

FEMA reimbursements and cash flow

County staff reported that FEMA has obligated funds for recovery work. During the meeting staff said FEMA had obligated approximately $1.4 million specifically to cover temporary-bridge expenses and that an additional $10 million in obligated FEMA funds for Carter County has been identified and is being processed; staff said those funds must be invoiced and claimed to be returned to county accounts and that reimbursement processing can take approximately 30–45 days once invoices are submitted. Commissioners discussed using obligated funds and state-held advances to rotate reimbursements and keep project work moving.

Process notes and next steps

Commissioners repeatedly emphasized the need to keep projects moving so that access, emergency services and reimbursement processes keep pace with recovery needs. The county attorney and finance staff were directed in separate committee action to pursue contract clarifications and possible early termination negotiations with vendors where duplicate or overlapping contracts exist (for example, the Everbridge notification contract discussed in financial management). Several commissioners asked staff to provide clearer invoice breakdowns, staffing lists attached to consultant invoices, and documentation showing which expenses will be submitted for FEMA or state reimbursement.

Ending

The commission approved the listed payments and directed staff to continue documenting expenditures for reimbursement. Commissioners and members of the public said they would press for clearer billing and contract transparency at future meetings.

Votes at a glance (selected approvals at this meeting): - Check request: Cleveland Fire Department — $3,509.90 (Hilleen disaster expense line). Approved. - Purchase order: Sterling (service lines at five locations) — $1,250 (Feb services) + $1,250 (March PO). Approved. - Purchase order: Highway department rock purchase — amount not specified; approved. - Purchase order: Hingle Environmental Services LLC — $240,188 (road repairs, state contract). Approved. - Purchase order: Shouse LLC — $300,000 (ongoing consulting services). Approved. - Check request/invoice: Vendor listed as LLC billing (Dec–Jan billing) — amount not specified in transcript; approved. - Check request: Sunbelt / LED road signs — multiple requests (examples include $7,740.90 and $7,308). Approved. - Purchase order/check: Staples, Lowe’s, Mountain Electric Co-op — various disaster-related equipment and monthly services (amounts specified in agenda: Staples $1,052.06; Lowe’s $1,500; Mountain Electric PO $4,500 estimated). Approved. - Check request: TFR debris removal — $2,461,581.15. Approved. - Purchase orders and change orders: Landworks Construction Contractors — $572,479.84 (installation/first-month rental of temporary bridges) plus later change orders and a $125,850 invoice; approved.

(If an item above lacks a precise dollar figure in the transcript, the article lists it as “amount not specified,” and the county packet or finance office was referenced by commissioners for precise accounting.)