- February 7, 2025
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AshBritt Environmental and the city Port Orange have agreed upon a contract for the company to help with debris cleanup.
Port Orange City Manager Jake Johansson said the contract has an addendum, which includes "additional protections for the city."
Daytona Tree Service has already been helping out with debris cleanup and will work under AshBritt as a subcontractor.
Johansson had previously announced AshBritt had agreed to help with post-hurricane cleanup but had failed to meet the contractual agreement to remove debris. An emergency procurement of additional contracts was set in motion by the city to start moving debris.
Waste Pro, the city's solid waste manager, has started moving what is called Category C and D items — debris that is on property that was flooded, specifically residents that live waterside.
Daytona Tree Service is using four self-loading claw trucks and seven 30-yard trailers while AshBritt now has six 100-yard double loader trucks and one trailer in addition to other gear being used for cleanup.
The city spent more than $8 million during Hurricane Matthew and is still waiting on the FEMA reimbursement, which is expected to be around $7 million, according to Councilman Scott Stiltner.
"Part of the process of being eligible to secure FEMA reimbursement is following their protocols for bidding and establishing debris removal contracts with qualified contractors and then using them under the FEMA guidelines post storm," Stiltner wrote.
According to Johansson, 23,000 cubic yards of vegetative debris have been removed. This has consisted of 781 loads with 91 trucks.
The public works department on Virginia Avenue and Oak Avenue will remain open from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day for debris drop-offs until Saturday, Oct. 7. Johansson noted that once the debris is collected it cannot be used for private or commercial mulch — an issue the city had last year.
