The Jones County Board of Supervisors approved a motion on Monday morning, April 20 to advertise for a debris monitoring firm to supervise the tremendous debris clean-up process the county faces as a result of the Easter tornadoes that devastated our area. The advertisement from the county for the service reads as follows:
“Jones County will receive sealed qualifications from qualified Debris Monitoring Firms until 9:00 AM on Monday, April 27, 2020, for Debris Monitoring Services for damage resulting from the tornado event on April 12, 2020. The Proposal may be mailed or hand-delivered to the Jones County Board of Supervisors, Attn: Danielle Ashley at PO Box 1468 Laurel, MS 39441 or 415 North 5th Avenue Laurel, MS 39440. The Proposal shall include Debris Monitoring qualifications, integrity, compliance with public policy, past performance, and technical and financial resources. Knowledge of Federal and State Grant Guidelines, experience of the Firm, and capacity for performance will be considered. Firm should submit an original and three (3) copies of their proposal for consideration. Each Proposal must be received in a sealed envelope clearly marked on the outside of the envelope with the word “PROPOSAL” and the name of the Project, “Debris Monitoring for April 12, 2020 Tornado Event” on which the proposal is being made and “April 27, 2020 at 9:00 AM” and the “NAME OF THE COMPANY SUBMITTING THE PROPOSAL.” The Jones County Board of Supervisors reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals and to waive technicalities.”
The supervisors are still attempting to determine which site, or sites, will be used to dispose of the debris. Beat 1 Supervisor and Board President Johnny Burnett stated that the plan was to locate a site(s) within 30 miles of the areas hit by the storms. If one site is not secured that is large enough to handle the separation and reduction of the debris, the supervisors will try to procure multiple sites for the project, added Beat 2 Supervisor Larry Dykes. EOC Director Paul Sheffield said such a site(s) will have to be located because “it would create a public safety hazard if contractors try to separate the debris on the side of the road.” Typically recovery-related debris removal involves separating debris into what is recyclable and what is determined for reduction.
Some contractors like to choose their own disposal sites, but Sheffield noted that FEMA has frowned on that idea, because the county still has some culpability in the disposal process.
The supervisors will meet again next Monday to follow up on progress being made and to make additional plans for the storm cleanup.
In other action taken by the board Monday:
*A 2020 Tornado Fund was created by the board on the recommendation of CFO Charles Miller. The fund will contain all expenses related to storm cleanup activities. Miller said being able to easily track all the expenses will help with future reimbursements for the county.
*The supervisors agreed to forward some funds to the city of Sandersville for infrastructure work needed for the Love’s Truck Stop that is slated to be constructed near Exit 104 off of I-59 in Sandersville. The county has applied for a low-interest CAP loan from the state to assist with the project.
*Approved a request from a Laurel High School cheerleader for $250 to attend a cheer event. The money will come from the Beat 5 Recreation Fund.
*The board approved Burnett signing a letter to the state’s Congressional delegation outlining needs created in our area by the COVID-19 pandemic. Burnett said he was really concerned about the future welfare of local small businesses that have been forced to shut down.
*Approved laying asphalt on school campuses in Beat 3. The Jones County School District will buy the asphalt and the county will do the work.