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Commission extends Southern Disaster Recovery contract cap to $51.65 million, approves private-property removal start
Summary
The board approved a $22.5 million increase to the county's Southern Disaster Recovery (SDR) 'not to exceed' amount — bringing the county total to $51,649,012 — and approved an extension of DebrisTech’s monitoring contract to May 24, 2025; county and SDR officials said the state Smart program will assume financial oversight after state takeover.
Southern Disaster Recovery (SDR) project manager Randy Thompson briefed the Avery County Board of Commissioners on June 25 and requested an increase to the existing contract “not to exceed” (NTE) amount to complete storm-related debris removal tied to Tropical Storm Helene.
Thompson reported that right-of-way work in the county is approximately 97% complete and that waterways work is substantially underway; he described the complexity of converting field observations (linear feet) into hauling volumes (cubic yards) and said those conversions and the pace of work have driven cost fluctuations. He said private-property debris removal (PPDR) had more than 1,100 sign-ups but that only a portion of packets had completed the monitoring and approval process; the county expected to begin PPDR the day after the meeting when approved packets were returned.
SDR asked the board to extend the existing NTE of $29,149,012 by $22,500,000, bringing the county-level commitment to $51,649,012. Thompson described the state Smart program, under which the state receives federal funds, provides required matching and then administers reimbursement; once the county transitions into that program, the state will handle most of the funding and invoicing responsibilities.
Commissioners discussed timing and cash-flow concerns; SDR representatives said the county should expect invoices to be processed into the next fiscal year and that FEMA reimbursement will ultimately cover permitted debris-removal costs. A motion to approve the additional $22,500,000 NTE passed by voice vote.
Separately, the board approved an amendment extending DebrisTech’s services (the monitoring contractor) through midnight May 24, 2025 to cover the monitoring needed during the handoff to the state Smart program. County staff announced an in-person sign-up opportunity for PPDR on the following Thursday and reminded residents that PPDR is limited to storm-related debris that presents a health or safety risk.
No commissioners recused themselves on the record; SDR asked the board to excuse Commissioner Benfield from SDR-related votes due to an announced conflict but the record shows the board voted on the NTE increase.
