Daytona Beach Approves Spending For Hurricane Irma Debris Removal

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Daytona Beach, FL - Update: The Daytona Beach City Commission approved spending up to $600,000 in debris removal services related to Hurricane Irma and up to $600,000 for Irma-related debris monitoring and grant management services at its meeting Wednesday night. The debris removal services contract is with DRC Emergency Services, and the debris monitoring and grant services agreements are with Thompson Consulting Services. Since all expenses are related to Hurricane Irma, FEMA historically reimburses the City for at least 75% of these costs, and the State is expected to reimburse the City for 50% of the remaining balance of the local cost share. Another item on the City's agenda for Wednesday was the formal adoption of a $227,189,319 budget for 2017/2018. The Commission had already approved the budget at its meeting September 20, along with a  property tax millage rate of $6.3333 per $1,000 of assessed taxable value. That tax rate, which was also approved at the September meeting, is a 3.00% tax increase from the rolled back rate of 6.1488. You can read more about the budget and the tax rate here. Earlier Reporting: On Wednesday, The Daytona Beach City Commission is expected to vote on spending up to $600,000 in debris removal services related to Hurricane Irma and up to $600,000 for Irma-related debris monitoring and grant management services. The Public Works Department is requesting that the City approve a purchase order of up to $600,000 to DRC Emergency Services for supplying the City with debris removal services in response to the storm, according to City records. Additionally, Daytona Beach Public Works is requesting the City's approval of a maximum of $100,000 in grant management services and $500,000 in debris monitoring and related services to Thompson Consulting Services. The City is expected to approve spending for both of these measures. For all of these expenses, FEMA historically reimburses the City for at least 75% of these costs. The State also is expected to reimburse the City for 50% of the remaining balance of the local cost share. Any costs not reimbursed by FEMA or the state will come out of the general fund up to $75,000. Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.