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1. What is eligible in the program?

Debris Removal 

• Hazardous limbs, trees, stumps, or other debris caused by Hurricane Michael that is near a commonly used area or maintained space of a property.
• The eligible areas on a property will be determined on an individual basis following a field survey.
• Demolition
• The demolition and debris removal of a structure that is a unsafe as defined per Chapter 17-1 of the County Code

2. What is NOT eligible under the program?

• Debris removal from vacant lots, unimproved property, and unused or unmaintained areas
• Debris on agricultural lands used for crops or livestock
• Concrete slabs or foundations-on-grade

3. What is the purpose of the Right-of-Entry (ROE) and Hold Harmless Agreement (HHA)?

• The ROE grants right of property access and entry to the County, its agencies, contractors, and subcontractors for inspecting, removing, and clearing eligible storm-generated debris.
• The HHA releases the County, State, their agencies, contractors, and subcontractors for damage of any type, whatsoever, either to the property or persons situated thereon and releases, discharges, and waives any action, either legal or equitable which might arise out of activities on the property during property inspection, debris removal and/or demolition.

4. Why is an ROE needed?

• Gaining legal access to private property is an important aspect of a remediation project from start to finish. Multiple facets of a project may require access to a property even before the actual debris removal or demolition begins.
• In some cases, you may be requested to grant access to your property even though the actual construction project area will not affect your property. For example, an ROE may be needed to grant access through the private easement that exists on your road and property to get to a project site. Right of entries are often requested at the beginning of the project to prevent future delays later on.

5. Do I have to sign the ROE?

• A right-of-entry is a completely voluntary document. Your land is private and therefore it is your decision to waive the right to grant access. However, an ROE may be a requirement for the project to proceed. Failure to agree and sign a ROE may jeopardize the implementation of a project that could benefit you and/or your community.

6. Does agreeing to an ROE mean I am agreeing to the whole project?

• In most cases, no. Signing the ROE does not mean you are agreeing to having the project implemented. Agreeing to allow access to your property will allow the County and its contractors to access your property to perform a site inspection and collect the information necessary to submit to FEMA for review and approval.
• You may withdraw from the program anytime prior to the start of debris removal or demolition activities on your property without consequence. If you choose not to proceed after work has begun, you may be liable for the cost of work completed to date.

7. I think my property is eligible for debris removal or demolition. What do I do now?

• Complete a ROE and HHA agreement at one of the County’s intake centers:

Bay County Government Center 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday 840 W 11th St, Code Enforcement Office Panama City, FL 850-704-6041 Email: tdr.baycountyppdr@tetratech.com    *On Saturdays the center will be open from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Bay County Library at 898 W. 11th St., Panama City, FL

Youngstown 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday Bear Creek Fire Station 11771 U.S. 231 Youngstown, FL 32466 850-704-0426

• Do not forget to bring the following with you:
  • A copy of your insurance policy (if insured)
  • Proof/statement of loss from insurance company (if insured)
  • Copy of your driver’s license
  • Proof of ownership (warranty deed, tax statement, etc.)
    • County property appraiser data can be used to verify ownership as well
  • If the property is owned by multiple persons, both parties may be required to sign the ROE and HHA based on how the property is titled

8. Do I have to pay for these services?

• With ROE you must submit a copy of your homeowner’s insurance policy.
• If your insurance policy covers disaster related debris removal or demolition, there may be an equitable charge to prevent duplication of benefits for services or you may be ineligible for the PPDR program.
• This program was designed to help individual homeowners without the means to remove disaster debris or demolish unrecoverable structures on their property following a major disaster.

9. If I have homeowner’s insurance, can I still participate in the debris removal program?

• Yes. However, to avoid a duplication of benefits provided by the state or federal government, your insurance company may be required to provide payment from your policy designated for debris removal or demolition to the government.

10. What portion of my homeowner’s policy will the local government collect for debris removal?

• It depends on the policy that you have. There are generally two types of debris removal coverages in a homeowner’s insurance policy:
  • Specified Amount: If your homeowner’s insurance policy contains a separate, debris-specific clause, the local government will only collect the specified amount designated in the debris removal clause. These clauses are typically capped at a percentage of the coverage amounts listed in the policy (for example, 5 percent of the value of a primary structure, other structure, and personal property). You will not owe the local government any additional money, even if the actual costs to remove the debris exceeded the amount designated in your insurance policy for debris removal.
  • No Specified Amount: If your homeowner’s insurance policy does not have a separate, debris-specific clause and instead includes the costs of debris removal in the total coverage, the local government will only collect insurance proceeds for debris removal after you have rebuilt your home. The local government will only collect any available insurance proceeds, if any, after the rebuild. If there are no remaining funds, the homeowner will not owe the local government any additional money for debris removal.

11. Can I use my debris removal insurance policy to remove items that are ineligible for removal under the County’s program?

• Yes. If you have a specified amount for debris removal in your insurance policy, you may use your insurance proceeds to remove disaster debris that is ineligible for removal under the program (e.g., swimming pools, patios, concrete slab, etc...). The local government will only collect remaining insurance proceeds, if any, after you have removed ineligible debris.

12. If I participate in this program, will the County have the right to take all of my insurance proceeds?

• No. The County will only seek reimbursement from the insurance carrier as stated above. The County will not attempt to collect any insurance proceeds designated for rebuilding.

13. How soon will the work be done?

• Eligible private property debris removal or structural demolition is a long process with multiple approvals.
• Be patient, you will be contracted the week during which work will be scheduled at your property.
• Approval and scheduling of structural demolition on properties will take even longer and undergo additional reviews and approvals.

14. What if I’m a renter?

• Only the legal owner/owners can sign up a property for this program
• Some rental properties may be considered commercial which is subject to additional review

15. I own commercial property. Am I eligible for the program?

• Commercial properties can be submitted under this program but eligibility for the program will be determined on a case by case basis

16. What happens after I submit my ROE and HHA?

• The County and its contractors will review your ROE and HHA and reach out to schedule a site visit. During the site visit, information about the property and eligible hazards that are a result of Hurricane Michael will be documented, and this information will be submitted to FEMA representative for review and approval under the program. Only after approval by FEMA, will the County and its contractors begin debris removal or demolition services.