- February 7, 2025
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Port Orange City Manager Jake Johansson is asking residents to make sure any debris they have collected after Hurricane Irma is out of the streets.
Johansson addressed the aftermath of the hurricane during the informal Talkin' at Tomoka event on Thursday, Sept. 14 at Tomoka Brewing Co. The event has allowed residents to get the latest city updates and bring up their own questions and concerns to the table.
According to the city manager, it has been estimated that there is about 75% less debris this year than from Hurricane Matthew. According to Mayor Don Burnette, Port Orange is still waiting on its FEMA reimbursement from last year.
However, Johansson said city officials still want residents to work together to keep debris out of the streets, especially as it can be a hazard for motorists.
To help with cleanup, Port Orange officials have announced there will be a citizen debris drop off site opening Thursday, Sept. 14th from 7:30 a.m. through 3 p.m., seven days a week for at least the next two weeks. The drop off site is only for Port Orange residents.
The entrance will be off of Oak Street, east of the railroad tracks and west of Ridgewood Avenue. Electronic signs will direct drivers.
"The stuff is not in your lawn, it's not in the street, it's out of your street, it's out of your hair, and you move on with your life," Johansson said. "I would love for everybody to do that."
Johansson said that while he believes the city has been able to push out communication much better than last year he would still like to encourage residents to come together and help get the storm debris cleared away.
"We have over $13 million worth of capital projects that have to be done that we can't pay for" Jake Johansson, Port Orange city manager
According to Johansson, if residents do hire a contractor for work, such as redoing a garage, they have to take away any rubbish.
For concerns about any trees being cut down, Johansson noted residents can enter that information into the Citizen Request Tracker and someone can check to see if there was a permit to cut down the tree.
Johansson said the hurricane also allowed people to see what kind of drainage issues the city has. Recently, a drainage pipe collapsed and will cost around $6,000 to fix, which means capital projects that need to be taken care of will have to wait, according to Johansson.
Easing flooding is also a concern and the reason behind the Virginia Avenue and Monroe Street Drainage Project. The roughly $3 million project is expected to improve existing storm water drainage facilities with the possibility of installing new facilities.
"We have over $13 million worth of capital projects that have to be done that we can't pay for," Johansson said, adding that the current monthly stormwater utility fee "pays for maintenance and fixing what's broken but it doesn't pay for capital projects."
The city has proposed a 20% increase to that stormwater utility fee, which would amount to $120 for single family homes. A public hearing to discuss the proposed stormwater utility fee increase will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 26 at the city council chambers.
Johansson also noted that most of the buildings in Port Orange fared well in the hurricane. What is of concern is infrastructure in District 1, east of the railroad tracks, which Johansson said is starting to feel the effects of old age.
"We have to take care of our infrastructure," Johansson said.
