County outlines schedule for buyouts, asbestos remediation and demolition of 10 fire‑damaged homes

County officials reported progress this month on the buyout program for fire-damaged homes and laid out the sequencing for asbestos remediation and demolition.

Supervisor Humphrey told the Roosevelt community that the county now owns three of the 10 properties identified for buyout; two additional purchases are scheduled for November and the remaining five for December. Staff said the closing dates were adjusted to allow owners time to remove personal possessions prior to transfer.

County staff described the remediation plan: Native Environmental, the asbestos contractor, intends to perform a double mobilization. Once the county acquires the first five homes, the company will start surveying and remediating those properties; staff estimated a 4–6 week period for survey and remediation of a five-home batch. Breinholt, the demolition contractor, has worked previously with Native Environmental and will coordinate demolition scheduling with them once remediation of the first five is underway.

Public Works Director Steve Williams said demolition of the first five buyout homes is expected to begin in January. Williams and other staff said scheduling was set to minimize overlap between owner moves and county work.

At a resident question about salvaging doors or windows from buyout houses before demolition, Supervisor Humphrey said owners may remove materials only if the county has not yet purchased the property; after purchase, removal by third parties is not allowed.

The county also noted that buyout properties have been posted with 'no trespassing' signs and residents were asked to report suspected removal of items or trespass to the sheriff’s office.

The meeting did not record a formal vote or require board action at this session; staff said they will continue to update residents as purchases and remediation proceed.