FEMA regulations delay County's ability to hire debris removal contractor

(EDITOR'S NOTE: The following information was received from the Fulton County Emergency Management office in Hickman, as well as from the Fulton County Judge/Executive's Office regarding FEMA regulations and state procurement laws:)

FEMA regulations and state procurement laws have delayed Fulton County's ability to hire contractors for debris removal. We had hoped to hire contractors earlier, but these regulations have slowed that process down. Fulton County was not eligible for early hiring of debris removal contractors and was delayed for the purpose of going through a competitive bidding process which took 2 additional weeks to accomplish in compliance with state law. Bids for debris removal are due in the County Judges’ office tomorrow (Friday) morning. At a special called Fiscal Court meeting Monday morning we will award a contact to one of the 15 bidders and the successful bidder will start to work within 48 hours.
Now it is time for residents to focus on debris removal on their property. If you live on a county road, set your debris out to the R/W now and our contractor will remove the debris as he moves along the county road cleaning the R/W. If you live on a state highway, the state will be cleaning the R/W and you can set your debris along the state R/W and the county contractor will remove the debris after the state crew has moved past your property. If the state has already cleaned the state R/W where you live, you can set your debris out now.

FEMA requires the debris be sorted when you pile it at the R/W. A guide informing you how the debris should be separated for set out is on the County Judge's FB page and the Emergency Management FB page or you can get a copy at the County Judge’s office. The county has been distributing the guide for the past 3 weeks. If you do not have a copy of the guide, it would be important for you to call the County Judge’s office for a copy.

If you have any questions, you can call the County Judge's office at 270-236-2595 and he will answer any questions.