ALACHUA COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – Alachua County residents are experiencing delays in debris removal following recent storms, with contractors shifting resources to coastal areas more heavily impacted by Hurricane Milton.
Two main factors have contributed to these setbacks: the increased demands in coastal counties hit hardest by the hurricane and new agreements from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and other local governments to pay higher rates to debris removal contractors.
With elevated rates being offered, contractors have prioritized work in areas able to match these offers, leading to a shortage of staff in Alachua County and other similarly affected areas. In response, the Alachua County Commission recently authorized increasing their per-cubic-yard payment rate to align with those paid by FDOT and neighboring counties. This adjustment has encouraged the county’s debris removal contractor to speed up operations by bringing in additional subcontractors at a higher pay rate.
“We understand the inconvenience caused by the debris and share the community’s frustration,” county officials said. “While some residents suffered severe damage, our area was fortunate to avoid the worst impacts other counties endured, such as storm surges and hurricane-force winds.”
The county says that its contractor aims to complete an initial pass of debris removal by November 22. However, officials caution that resource limitations statewide could affect this timeline, making it difficult to promise an exact completion date.
For further information, residents can contact Alachua County Communications Director Mark Sexton at 352.264.6979 or by emailing at msexton@alachuacounty.us.