In a decisive move to resolve financial discrepancies from Hurricane Ian's debris removal efforts, the DeBary City Council approved a mediation settlement agreement with DRC Emergency Services LLC during their recent meeting. The council agreed to issue a check for $768,721.48 to DRC, following an audit by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that revealed significant inconsistencies in debris evaluation.

City officials reported that during the hurricane response, the Army Corps found a large gap between the debris assessed and what was actually collected. This prompted a shift in methodology to align with FEMA's standards, which dictate that the volume of debris brought in should be four times that of the mulch produced. The city had initially paid DRC $430,411 but later entered mediation to settle the total owed, which was determined to be $960,901.84 for 57,000 cubic yards of debris.

The council's approval also included placing the remaining funds into escrow until FEMA clarifies reimbursement eligibility. City leaders expressed confidence in recovering these costs, emphasizing the importance of improved internal controls to prevent future discrepancies. The council's unanimous vote reflects a commitment to transparency and accountability in managing disaster recovery funds.