City officials anticipate federal reimbursement for much of the storm costs this season.
By MOLLY MOORHEAD
Published October 13, 2004
DADE CITY - Officials are beginning to tally the effect of the most recent hurricane on city coffers.
In a meeting Tuesday evening, safety services director Joey Wubbena showed the City Commission some early numbers. The bulk of the expense from Hurricane Jeanne comes in paying an estimated $190,000 to contractor Grubbs Emergency Services to collect tree debris.
City Manager Harold Sample said that's a necessary expense.
"We would still be (clearing debris) next year if we tried to do it with city crews," he said.
Grubbs collected more than 10,000 cubic yards of fallen limbs and branches.
Labor costs from the Police Department total $11,846 for Jeanne. Other departments have not reported their totals, and Wubbena said he expects public works to post the highest cost.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will reimburse the city for most of the costs associated with Jeanne.
Commissioners amended both last year's and the current city budget on Tuesday to cover those expenses until reimbursements arrive. So far, the commission has taken $210,000 from reserves to cover costs incurred from all storms this season. Dade City can expect to recoup 95 percent, Sample said.
In addition to the city costs, Wubbena said private home damage was worse from Jeanne than Frances. Thirty-nine homes were damaged, 10 of them severely. He estimated the cost of home damage at about $358,000, to be covered by homeowners and insurers.
