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Commissioners approve commercial‑debris amendment for barrier islands amid questions about barging rates and costs
Summary
The board approved an amendment to a disaster services contract to add Useppa Island to a one‑pass commercial property debris removal (CPDR) operation. Staff said FEMA approved a single CPDR pass; commissioners and members of the public pressed staff to review contract pricing and to pursue better rates in future solicitations.
Lee County commissioners on Jan. 21 approved an amendment that adds Useppa Island to a previously authorized one‑pass commercial property debris removal (CPDR) operation. County staff said FEMA and the state granted approval for a limited, single pass to collect commercial debris on affected barrier islands, and the amendment aligns rates and logistics for barging services and commercial pickup.
Why it matters: Barrier-island cleanup was a high-cost, high‑visibility component of the county’s Hurricane Ian response. Commissioners and public speakers raised concerns that barging and CPDR rates were significantly higher than standard land-haul equivalents and asked staff to re‑examine pricing and procurement practices for future disaster work.
What staff said: Christine Brady of the county said the amendment is specifically to add Useppa Island to a CPDR pass that was already approved for North Captiva and Cayo Costa. Procurement director Mary Tucker said the original RFP was aimed at residential debris; barging and commercial pickup were not anticipated and had to be added later, which contributed to a higher, "fully burdened" barging rate.
Public and commissioners’ concerns: Commissioner Malekka said he had done calculations and raised the example that hauling 72 tons of household hazardous waste from North Captiva cost about $3.4 million under current arrangements. He pointed to previously negotiated barging daily rates and mobilization fees in earlier contract amendments as evidence that some services had originally been priced differently and asked staff to review whether a change order or re‑solicitation could secure lower rates.
Staff response and timing: County procurement said the state gave the county a short window to complete CPDR pickups (staff cited a 120‑day window), which was the chief reason to proceed now. Staff agreed to revisit contracting practices to improve future pre‑positioned contracts and advised that federal reimbursement rules require explicit contract language for CPDR.
Outcome and next steps: The board voted to approve the amendment so the county can proceed with the CPDR pass for Useppa Island. Commissioners asked staff and procurement to examine the underlying contract pricing after the emergency work proceeds and to return with options — including whether resolicitation or renegotiation is feasible — and to include lessons learned in strategic planning.
