FRANKLIN—The federal government will pay for up to 90 percent of the $100,000 to $125,000 bill to clean up and dispose of storm debris left from Hurricane Irene.

City Manager June Fleming told Franklin City Council on Monday that the city will pay contractor Phillips and Jordan $10 to $12 per cubic yard for picking up an estimated 10,000 cubic yards of debris.

“The cost will be high, but we do not have any choice,” Fleming said. “It’s money well spent. It has to be spent.”

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will reimburse the city for debris removal, structural damage and overtime for employees, Fleming said.

“Is the cost high? Yes and the bills will not come immediately,” Fleming said. “We might have to move some money from line item to line item.”

The first round of pickups could be completed by Wednesday. A final pickup will begin Monday, Sept. 26.