Fern Cleanup To Cost Millions
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YALOBUSHA COUNTY — Cleanup from Winter Storm Fern is expected to cost millions of dollars in Yalobusha County, according to preliminary estimates discussed during a lengthy Board of Supervisors meeting held Feb. 5.
Supervisors approved an emergency contract with TFR Enterprises, Inc. to handle countywide debris removal during a special-called meeting that day. The vote followed an extended discussion of projected costs as proposals from three companies were reviewed. Cleanup estimates are based on an initial projection of approximately 200,000 cubic yards of vegetative debris to be collected from road rights of way and hauled to multiple locations across the county for disposal, primarily through burning. Officials stressed repeatedly that the estimate is preliminary and likely low, and that both the total volume and cost are expected to increase substantially as more debris is moved to the roadside.
Based on that early estimate, debris removal under the TFR contract is projected to cost $2,392,750, assuming most material is disposed of by burning.
Under the current disaster framework, cleanup costs are expected to be shared with FEMA covering 75 percent, MEMA covering 12.5 percent, and Yalobusha County responsible for 12.5 percent, although supervisors noted that in-kind labor and equipment time can be credited toward the county’s portion.
Selecting a contractor
Before awarding the contract, supervisors reviewed proposals from three debris removal companies using the same preliminary debris estimate. If debris is primarily burned, the preferred and least expensive method, cost comparisons presented to the board showed TFR at approximately $2.39 million, compared to Looks Great Services of Mississippi at $3.38 million and SDR (Southern Disaster Recovery) at $3.77 million. Supervisors also reviewed higher estimates for mulching, which may be required in areas where burning is not feasible.
As the board weighed the proposals, Board President Cayce Washington repeatedly pressed the companies on their plans to use local subcontractors, emphasizing that a project of this size should circulate as much money as possible back into Yalobusha County.
“Did y’all give in your quote what percentage of local support you have already established, or what you would guarantee to use if you don’t have that procured yet?” Washington asked. “If it’s a $2 million contract, how much local spend do you think you’ll have?”
Representatives with SDR told supervisors the company had made public efforts to involve local contractors but could not offer firm dollar estimates. SDR official Mark Stafford said the company had held an open house and invited local contractors to participate.
“We laid out the basic parameters of what the work would look like and how much we would pay,” Stafford said. “It’s virtually impossible to estimate what you’re asking me to estimate, but I did make the commitment that anybody with proper insurance, the right equipment and the desire to work, we would hire.”
Washington pressed further, asking whether any formal arrangements with local contractors were already in place. Stafford responded that while no written contracts existed, the company had publicly committed to working with local operators who met requirements and agreed to the pricing structure.
Steven Vinyard, representing TFR Enterprises, said his company had already spoken with local contractors and expected to rely heavily on them, particularly for debris management sites used for burning.
“A lot of these guys can handle our debris sites,” Vinyard told the board. “I’m not going to take any of the debris management sites. That’s up to the locals.”
Vinyard explained that while hauling debris by the cubic yard favors larger trucks, local contractors are well-positioned to manage burn sites, provide bucket trucks and assist with staging and site operations.
In addition to the debris removal contract, supervisors approved hiring ER Assist, a FEMA public assistance consulting firm, to manage documentation and reimbursement requirements, and Debris Tech as the required third-party debris monitoring firm. Officials said those contracts are necessary to ensure compliance with federal rules and protect the county’s eligibility for reimbursement.
The debris removal contract with TFR was approved by a 4–0 vote, with Washington abstaining due to a business relationship with a potential subcontractor.
More storm costs
Debris removal represents only part of the county’s overall storm-related expenses. During the meeting, supervisors estimated that roughly $500,000 had already been spent in the immediate aftermath of the storm to reopen roads and maintain public safety.
“All of our deputies’ overtime, they have been working around the clock,” Washington said. “Our road crews worked 10 or 12 hours a day.”
District 5 Supervisor Gaylon Gray added that the county furnished fuel to water associations to keep generators running. District 3 Supervisor Kenny Harmon estimated $120,000 in local contractor costs in his district alone, while Washington estimated another $40,000 to $50,000 spent on local contractors in District 1. Supervisors said those early response costs are also expected to be reimbursed by FEMA and could qualify for up to 100 percent reimbursement, depending on final determinations.
