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Carter County approves roughly $3.18 million in Hurricane Helene recovery payments and contracts
Summary
At a special April 3 session, the Carter County Board of Commissioners approved a series of emergency payments and purchase orders — including large debris-removal and bridge-repair contracts tied to FEMA project DR-4832 — funded in part by FEMA rapid-response and a county HEAL loan.
Vice Chairperson Kelly Collins called a special meeting of the Carter County Board of Commissioners to order at 6:00 p.m. on April 3, 2025, and the board approved a slate of disaster-recovery payments and emergency contracts related to flooding from Hurricane Helene.
Finance Director Carolyn Watson told commissioners the county had received FEMA rapid funding and that staff would submit completed invoices through the FEMA portal for reimbursement once expenses are paid. Watson said debris removal is expected to be completed and that the county plans to use a HEAL loan to cover debris-related expenses.
The board approved motions to pay engineering, debris-removal and repair vendors. Notable approvals included $1,939,750.54 to TFR Enterprises for debris removal under FEMA project DR-4832; $419,750.00 in purchase orders to Summers and Taylor for bridge repairs on Heaton Creek Road; $306,696.55 for paving and road repairs in the Hampton area; and several engineering invoices to Rummel Klepper & Kahl (RKK) totaling about $112, ... (see votes-at-a-glance). Most motions passed unanimously by electronic roll call.
Why it matters: The approvals accelerate repairs and cleanup after Hurricane Helene, unlocking vendor payments that the county says will be routed through FEMA’s reimbursement processes. The board recorded that crews have removed about 140,000 cubic yards of debris and are working to add eight tributaries to the cleanup contract.
Votes at a glance (motions recorded in the meeting packet): - Payment to Rummel Klepper & Kahl (Invoice 25020.000-1), Poga Bridge #1: $48,456.56 — Moved: Robert Acuff; Second: Jason Clawson. Vote: 20 yes; outcome: approved. - Payment to Rummel Klepper & Kahl (Invoice 25021.000-1), Poga Bridge #2: $42,056.22 — Moved: Robert Acuff; Second: Todd Smith. Vote: 20 yes; approved. - Payment to Rummel Klepper & Kahl (Invoice 25047.000-1), Long Hollow Bridge: $22,499.57 — Moved: Robert Acuff; Second: Lesley Hughes. Vote: 20 yes; approved. - Thompson Consulting Services (Invoice 2411100401), debris monitoring: $90,734.58 — Moved: Robert Acuff; Second: Julie Guinn. Vote: 20 yes; approved. - Tri-City Business Machines (Invoice AR40556), copier usage at EOC: $194.63 — Moved: Robert Acuff; Second: Gary Kemp. Vote: 20 yes; approved. - TFR Enterprises (Invoice 2142), debris removal: $1,939,750.54 — Moved: Robert Acuff; Second: Avery Wynn. Vote: 20 yes; approved. - TFR Enterprises (Invoice 2146): $164,323.46 — Moved: Robert Acuff; Second: Lesley Hughes. Vote: 20 yes; approved. - TFR Enterprises (Invoice 2181): $4,694.09 — Moved: Robert Acuff; Second: Gary Kemp. Vote: 20 yes; approved. - Schaus Professional Services (Invoice 32425): $70,014.75 — Moved: Robert Acuff; Second: Nancy Brown. Vote: 20 yes; approved. - Summers & Taylor PO for four Heaton Creek Road bridge repairs: $419,750.00 — Moved: Robert Acuff; Second: Julie Guinn. Vote: 20 yes; approved. - Maury County Government (TEMA response team): $11,654.65 — Moved: Robert Acuff; Second: Lesley Hughes. Vote: 18 yes, 2 no (Nick Holder, Danny Deal); approved. - Landworx Construction (Poga #1 temporary bridge monthly lease): $5,600.00 — Moved: Robert Acuff; Second: Avery Wynn. Vote: 20 yes; approved. - Landworx Construction (Poga #2 temporary bridge monthly lease): $5,600.00 — Moved: Robert Acuff; Second: Avery Wynn. Vote: 20 yes; approved. - United Rentals (portable restrooms): $115.00 — Moved: Robert Acuff; Second: Todd Smith. Vote: 20 yes; approved. - Summers & Taylor PO for Hampton-area paving and repairs: $306,696.55 — Moved: Robert Acuff; Second: Julie Guinn. Vote: 20 yes; approved. - Agreement with Environmental & Civil Engineering Services for hydrology and hydraulics (H&H) studies on Shell Creek crossings: amount not specified in the packet — Moved: Robert Acuff; Second: Nancy Brown. Vote: 20 yes; approved. - Nippon Carbide Industries Inc. requisition #000028481, sign machine supplies: $456.00 — Moved: Robert Acuff; Second: Jerry Proffitt. Vote: 20 yes; approved. - Thompson Litton Inc. architect fees (various requisitions): $1,900.00; $27,500.00; $17,440.00 — Moved: Robert Acuff (seconds varied). Vote: 20 yes on each; approved.
The board’s recorded approvals of items with specific dollar amounts add to approximately $3,179,436.60 in disbursements and purchase orders from the meeting transcript; the H&H consulting agreement was approved but the transcript does not list a contract amount. The county said FEMA rapid funding and a HEAL loan will cover or front many of the eligible expenses and that invoices will be submitted through FEMA’s portal for reimbursement.
Personnel note: During commissioner comments, Commissioner Charlene Thomas asked about the landfill director position. Commissioner Steve Burrough said the county hired Robert Chip Chambers as landfill director.
Next steps: The approvals release payments and establish POs or contracts; county staff will proceed with vendor payments and FEMA reimbursement filings. The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Sources: Carter County Board of Commissioners special called session packet and minutes, April 3, 2025.
