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Commissioners approve expanded debris-removal ceiling as state prepares to assume operations
Summary
After a presentation by SDR on progress and remaining work, Avery County commissioners approved raising the contractor's not-to-exceed amount to about $51.65 million and extended debris-collection services through May 24, 2025; county officials said most costs will be reimbursed by FEMA once the state assumes program oversight.
Avery County commissioners voted to increase the not-to-exceed (NTE) amount for storm debris removal and to extend debris-collection days as the state prepares to take over operations under a state "Smart" program.
Randy Thompson of SDR told the board that right-of-way debris removal was roughly 97% complete and waterways about 70% complete, but that unit conversions, emerging site approvals and additional waterway work had increased cost estimates. SDR asked the board to raise the current NTE (reported at about $29.15 million) by $22.5 million to a new total of approximately $51,649,012.70 to finish contracted debris work.
Commissioners discussed timing, state monitoring approvals and the reimbursement process. County presenters said the additional spending will be reimbursed through FEMA and that the state Smart program will assume payment and monitoring responsibilities after the county's turn-over date. One commissioner noted that while $51 million is a large figure, it represents gross costs that will be reimbursed and that the county cannot fund the sum from its existing budget alone.
The board approved the NTE increase by voice vote. The board also approved an amendment extending debris-removal services through midnight on May 24, 2025, with the state taking over May 25. County staff reminded residents to sign up for private-property debris removal and gave instructions for required documents to register for the program.
What happens next: The county will continue working with the state monitor on outstanding site approvals and will process signed private-property removal packets for state approval and removal work. FEMA reimbursement procedures will follow monitoring and invoicing.
