Debris-hauling firm records subpoenaed

Hurricane Irma debris removal received renewed attention Monday from President Donald Trump, who increased the level of federal assistance, and Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, who increased pressure on haulers who have raised prices or aren’t moving fast enough to pickup debris.

Trump decided Florida taxpayers won’t have to dig as deep into their pockets to pay to clean up the mess left by Irma.

Under Trump’s Sept. 10 major disaster declaration, local cities and counties could count on the Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursing them for 75 percent of their total eligible debris removal costs. On Monday, Trump pushed that level up to 90 percent, covering costs incurred for a 30-day period after the original declaration.

Bondi focused on three debris hauling firms, issuing subpoenas of their records in her debris-removal investigation.

A shortage of trucks to haul debris has slowed down the pace of debris removal, and some cities have agreed to pay more than contracted to get more haulers into their neighborhoods.

One company receiving a subpoena is AshBritt Inc., which has gotten a number of cities, including Pompano Beach, Deerfield Beach and Boca Raton, to approve an increase in how much it is paid. The two other companies are Ceres Environmental Services Inc. and DRC Emergency Services Inc.

The subpoenas request documents to see if the companies are providing the contracted services, how long the removal process is estimated to take, how much they’re charging and if those rates have been increased. They’re also seeking information about subcontractors.

“These subpoenas seek to answer questions about why many communities are continuing to struggle with the hazards of debris while having to contend with rate hikes,” Bondi said in a prepared statement.

Cities that have agreed to pay more also face uncertainty about whether FEMA will agree that the higher price is eligible for reimbursement. Officials in those cities think they can justify prices that exceed the contract, but they won’t know for sure until they submit the expenses and receive a determination from FEMA.

lbarszewski@SunSentinel , 954-356-4556 or Twitter @lbarszewski