The Carroll County Board of Supervisors called an emergency meeting on April 7 to address the acceptance of a contract with Cere’s Removal, the emergency debris removal contractor chosen at a previous meeting.
“I’ve looked over the contract and the language that references the amount charge has to get triggered by the notice to proceed as I understand, which will not exceed $2 million,” said County Attorney Kevin Horan, explaining that the notice to proceed must be approved by the board.
Horan discussed several legal wordings in the contract that the contractor representative was not aware of. He said he would reach out to someone at Cere’s to discuss adjustments.
Chancery Clerk Casey Carpenter asked the board if they would approve the contract up to the previously mentioned $2 million.
Board President Jim Neill said that the board’s concern was “if you write [the] check for $2 million, how long is it going to be before the check comes back to Carroll County.”
“Whatever the amount is, assuming we get our paperwork [done] in time,” Carpenter said that the county would receive federal reimbursement as long as paperwork was completed in an orderly manner. Neill, speaking for himself and the board, expressed concern regarding such a large amount of money coming from the county budget. Emergency Operations Director Ken Strachan reminded the board that they were still receiving reimbursement for a flood that took place in 2018.
“From my understanding, the 30-day contract was relatively quick to get reimbursed as opposed to the one outside of 30 days,” said Horan. MEMA Representative David Shaw said he was not aware of the specifics, as specialist Rick Christian knew more about the contract process. Christian was not in attendance.
Strachan said “the key is going to be the documentation and getting all of the [documents] turned in.”
Back and forth discussions regarding process and the contract continued until Neill asked Horan “What is your opinion of this number?”
“With the changes that I recommend,” said Horan, “but right now, understand you’re not going to be paying $2 million off at one time, it’s going to be as you go.”
Horan explained that the language of the contract said up to $2 million but didn’t specify having to reach that amount.
Horan reminded the board that the reason for hiring debris monitor contractors is to watch just how much money is being spent by the debris removal contractor, as well as keeping documentation.
Claude Fluker of Beat Four made the motion to accept the contract once any changes or adjustments were made by Horan. Edward Dill Tucker of Beat Three seconded the motion. There was no opposition.
