Commissioners approve $5.53 million closure for SDR debris work; Crowder Gulf to continue county operations

Mitchell County commissioners approved a notice to proceed that will close out county work with Southern Disaster Recovery (SDR) at a contract total identified in the meeting as $5,530,000 to complete debris reduction and disposal operations.

County staff told the board SDR’s work grew from earlier purchase orders and change orders and that the $5.53 million figure reflects the closing‑out cost to complete debris chipping and disposal tied to the storm response. Commissioners were also told that Crowder Gulf, a separate contractor, has been brought in to continue county‑managed debris removal on prioritized roads and side streets.

Staff clarified that a private operator, Eagle Enterprises, had set up a separate, privately run debris site on roughly 25 acres; that site was not part of the county’s SDR operations and is being reviewed separately, including permitting and DEQ oversight, county staff said. The board was told Eagle Enterprises’ entrepreneurial effort encountered setbacks, including a fire and slower‑than‑expected processing of material.

County staff emphasized that SDR’s work is separate from the private site and that current county debris removal and rig removal operations continue under contract with Crowder Gulf. Commissioners were told FEMA reimbursement remains the funding source for county debris work as closeout proceeds.

A motion to approve the SDR closeout notice to proceed and related consent agenda items was made and recorded as seconded; the consent agenda passed by voice vote during the meeting.