- December 14, 2025
AshBritt Environmental and the Port Orange officials have been in discussion about bringing trash haulers into the city, according to Port Orange City Manager Jake Johansson in a Facebook broadcast.
Johansson had previously announced AshBritt had agreed to help with post-hurricane cleanup but had failed to meet the contractual agreement to remove debris.
Johansson said that because they are still in the initial negotiations with AshBritt he is not sure of the outcome.
Johansson said AshBritt had agreed to pick up the debris for a certain amount per cubic yard. Because the contractor failed to do this, Johansson signed a fail-to-perform letter.
"The situation down south and in Houston is different than it is up here in central Florida," Johansson said. "And we're not able to pay double the cost for cubic yards of debris."
The city has been using Daytona Tree Service as a subcontractor. Johansson said he will continue to use them until he is reasonably assured AshBritt is capable of taking over the job. If this happens, Daytona Tree Service would fall under them as a subcontractor.
"A truck's a truck. I need as many trucks as possible." Jake Johansson, Port Orange city manger
An emergency procurement of additional contracts was set in motion by the city to start moving debris. Waste Pro, the city's solid waste manager, has started moving what is called Category C and D items — debris that is on property that was flooded, specifically residents that live waterside.
The public works department on Virginia Avenue and Oak Avenue is also open for residents to drop off their debris.
The city has started using two claw trucks, several dump trucks and loader trucks to assist with cleanup. According to Johansson, trucks have been going out to collect debris since Thursday, Sept. 21.
"A truck's a truck," Johansson said. "I need as many trucks as possible."
Johansson added that the city is also looking at getting out-of-state help as well. However, anyone who assists in the debris cleanup efforts must be compliant with federal contracting guidelines in order for the city to be reimbursed.
Johansson did note that there is about 75% less debris this year compared to Hurricane Matthew. He said this should help make cleanup go faster. As of Monday, Sept. 25, 4,000 cubic yards of the 200,000 cubic yards of debris have been removed, according to Johansson.
The city spent more than $8 million during Hurricane Matthew and is still waiting on the FEMA reimbursement, which is expected to be around $7 million, according to Councilman Scott Stiltner.
"Part of the process of being eligible to secure FEMA reimbursement is following their protocols for bidding and establishing debris removal contracts with qualified contractors and then using them under the FEMA guidelines post storm," Stiltner wrote.
Additionally, Waste Pro has continued to maintain the normal level of service as well as picking up bulk, mainly in District 1 east of the railroad tracks. Johansson said the company has fallen slightly behind on picking up normal debris.
"I ask Port Orange residents that you bear with us and please be patient as we pick this stuff up," Johansson said. "There are a lot of contractors that are failing to perform. At this point we are working with the county and the fellow cities to come up with a great solution to get this stuff taken care of as quickly as we can."
