Christian County mulls how to handle ice storm debris

by Chad Plein, KY3 News

Christian County mulls how to handle ice storm debris

By Gene Hartley

OZARK, Mo. -- Christian County leaders are waiting on a couple of issues before deciding how to dispose of ice storm debris.

Living in the county, Evan Pinkington gets to burn his debris.

“I think Nixa got it worse,” he said.

For others, it's a waiting game. The county commission and Emergency Management director held a special session to confront the debris challenge on Monday.

“Clever and Billings have hardly any trees left from the tornado,” said Emergency Management Director Phil Amtower.

Last year, it was 320,000 cubic yards of debris. This year it's about 100,000.

Officials hope to name a dump location this week. Next, the county will learn if the Federal Emergency Management Agency will consider financial aid. Its response will be dictated by FEMA's response.

With FEMA’s money comes licensed contractors to haul away debris.

With limbs waiting, Nixa resident Jim Brent is glad he doesn't have to make the decisions.

“I would hate to be a commissioner. You have a budget, then this comes along,” said Brent.

A critique of last year's cleanup shows the private contractors may have charged more than they actually cleaned. County officials have the task to make sure this doesn't happen again.

“Have more monitors, maybe a monitor per truck,” said Amtower.

County resident David Stokley presented photos supporting the county’s critique of last year's cleanup efforts.

“Three-point-two million dollars was wasted,” said Stokley.

The photos show subcontractors hired by D&J working outside the contract's parameters. More truck volume equals more pay -- and more tax dollars spent.

“Some got debris outside their areas, and we dealt with them -- sending them home,” he said.

If a new contract is needed, the county maintains, if a contractor is hired this year, it'll revise paperwork.

If FEMA doesn’t designate Christian County for monetary aide, Amtower says city and county companies will work together to remove debris without bringing in an outside contractor.

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