Recent delays in debris pickup have been attributed to two key factors: the additional impact of Hurricane Milton on coastal counties and agreements between the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and other local governments to increase payments to debris removal contractors. As a result, contractors have prioritized areas with higher rates, leaving Alachua County and many others short-staffed as crews were redirected to more heavily affected regions.
In response, the County Commission has authorized matching the per-cubic-yard rate paid by FDOT and neighboring governments. Our debris removal contractor has pledged to accelerate the cleanup process by hiring subcontractors at a higher rate to complete an initial pass by November 22. However, it's important to note that resources remain limited statewide due to the widespread impact of recent storms, and we cannot guarantee an exact completion date.
The City of High Springs, while also affected by these circumstances, is deploying additional Public Works crews to collect storm debris as quickly as possible. We understand the inconvenience this situation has caused and share the community’s frustration. Although some residents have experienced severe damage, our area was fortunate to avoid the worst impacts faced by other counties, such as storm surges and hurricane-force winds.
We appreciate your continued patience as we resolve these issues quickly.