Henry County approves $4.3 million Tetra Tech design contract for Port LaBelle sewer units

Henry County commissioners on Aug. 12 approved a master agreement with engineering firm Tetra Tech and authorized execution of STA No. 1, a $4,299,017.60 design contract for sewer work in Port LaBelle Units 2 and 3. The vote was taken at the regular Henry County Board of County Commissioners meeting at the City Commission Chambers. The contract covers design for roughly two square miles in Port LaBelle and is intended to advance sewer planning for two large project areas that staff said will require separate construction funding. "This is for design of basically 2 square miles roughly in Port LaBelle," said Shane Parker, public works director. "Unit 2 estimated construction fund... is probably like 30 something million dollars. And next Unit 3 is probably like $45,000,000. They're pretty large projects, but this is just for the design." The board approved the motion to authorize the chair — or in her absence the vice chair — to execute the master agreement and STA No. 1, subject to county attorney approval. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Mitchell Wills and carried on a voice vote: "Aye. Motion stands," Chair Emma Bird said. Commissioners and staff discussed how the county might pay for the eventual construction. Parker said legislative appropriations are one likely avenue and that breaking the overall work into phases could allow segmented construction over time. "I guess legislative appropriations. I don't know. This is a first step," Parker said. Speakers also pressed staff for details about existing water and sewer service across Port LaBelle. Jimmy Orlinski, Portability director, described which units currently have sewer service: "Unit 4 has it. Unit 1 is a partial. Unit 5 has it," and he noted small, specific gaps such as a school site in Unit 6. Orlinski said the county has mapped the area and that Unit 1 previously advanced first because it was the most built out; Units 2 and 3 were next in the design sequence. Several commissioners asked follow-up questions about timing and whether water and wastewater lines had been installed together in some neighborhoods. No construction funding was approved at the meeting; the board approved only the design contract. Staff said design would create opportunities to phase work and to pursue funding. The county attorney must review final contract documents before execution. County staff did not provide a construction schedule or a final funding plan at the meeting; those details were described as to be developed during design and in later meetings.