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Commission approves multi‑million supplements for Hurricane Helene debris removal and monitoring
Summary
The commission approved supplemental funding for Hurricane Helene debris removal, monitoring and coordination contracts (Service Environmental Inc., Goodwin Mills & Cawood, and Infrastructure Systems Management) and authorized use of general fund balance to cover costs pending FEMA reimbursement.
The engineering services committee approved supplemental funding for Hurricane Helene debris operations across three vendors and authorized use of general fund balance to cover the additional up‑front costs pending FEMA reimbursements.
Administrator Allen and staff said the county has already spent approximately $36,731,874 on debris operations (through Dec. 31) and that reimbursements and other recoveries had brought total recoveries to about $43,315,439. Staff said the pending supplement approvals before the committee would add roughly $19,524,380 in authorizations and leave an estimated balance of about $23,000,791 to complete contracted cleanup work, assuming expected reimbursements are received.
The committee approved:
- A funding supplement (Supplement 3) for Service Environmental Inc. for debris removal in an amount not to exceed $15,400,000; staff said Service Environmental is the contractor that performs debris removal and is paid on cubic‑yard volume removed.
- A funding supplement for Goodwin Mills & Cawood (GMC) for debris removal monitoring in an amount not to exceed $1,271,856.54; staff said monitoring is billed differently (hourly and inspection/monitoring rates) and is necessary for FEMA documentation.
- A funding supplement for Infrastructure Systems Management (ISM) for debris removal coordination and support in an amount not to exceed $874,003.1988; ISM previously provided program management, scheduling and coordination functions.
Commissioners asked for clearer public communications about which streets and precincts have completed final passes and when crews will move to other areas. Staff said daily EOC briefings occur, that ISM and the contractors meet each morning with county staff to coordinate routes and that the county’s Facebook and website are being updated with precinct‑level progress; several commissioners requested that social posts tag commissioners so they can re‑share updates with neighborhoods.
Mayor Johnson said staff are seeking an additional 30‑day extension of FEMA 100% reimbursement and that county crews and equipment would be used where appropriate to accelerate remaining roadway cleanup. All debris funding supplements were approved unanimously.
