The Spalding County Water and Sewage Facility Authority unanimously approved design contract amendment 002 on June 18, setting a guaranteed maximum price of $19,458,235 for Phase 2B of the county wastewater project.

Phase 2B will cover the outfall, an influence pump station and the complete wastewater treatment plant, authority staff said. The amendment amount presented to the board was $17,462,741; with other inclusions the total GMP is $19,458,235. The board approved the amendment by voice vote; the motion passed unanimously.

Why it matters: The amendment moves the project from design and permitting into guaranteed-price construction planning for major components of the new wastewater system. Authority officials said most property needed for the project has been acquired.

Scope and features: At the meeting General Manager Johnson said the amendment covers the outfall, the pump station and the plant and listed the construction components included in the GMP: insurance and bonds, general conditions, industrial pretreatment, clearing, grading and stormwater, asphalt paving, site concrete, an administration building with interior finishes, electrical and security systems, backup generators and automatic transfer switches, a complete treatment plant, solids dewatering, chemical storage and feed systems, a groundwater well and a separate nonpotable water system, gravity and force mains and an effluent outfall. The amendment also includes system testing, startup and owner training.

Tax-savings purchase and contract accounting: Staff noted the GMP includes roughly $2,200,000 in materials and work that the authority is self-funding to capture a sales-tax savings (a staff member described keeping a “swap log” to track those items and possibly reconcile them at closeout). The amendment as approved does not include contingencies for additional unforeseen costs, staff said.

Board discussion and vote: Board members asked where the amendment fit in the overall phased work; staff confirmed this is Phase 2B following earlier 60% and 100% design phases and permitting work performed under prior amendments. A motion to approve amendment 002 carried unanimously.

What remains: Staff said permits for related sewer work are pending or in public comment (see separate items in the manager27s report). Property acquisition was described as complete except for one remaining parcel. No schedule or final construction start date was provided at the public meeting.

Ending: The board did not attach special conditions to the approval; staff will continue procurement and preconstruction activities under the amended contract and maintain the described swap log for self-funded purchases.