The board’s approval of the memorandum allows the Florida Department of Emergency Management to begin debris removal in Taylor County’s waterways at no cost to the county, thanks to state-level intervention following hurricanes Helen and Milton. This was facilitated by the assistance of state representatives and was deemed urgent due to contractors already being on-site. The memorandum, reviewed by legal counsel, includes provisions for potential extensions beyond its 2025 expiration.

Simultaneously, Taylor County is set to receive crucial support from a mutual aid team from Cape Coral to bolster its building department’s capacity. This team will provide training and assistance in permitting and floodplain management. The team’s deployment aims to bridge the gap until state contractors are fully engaged, addressing a backlog heightened by recent hurricanes.