Washington County Approves $631,800 for Zion Sewer Extension Phase 2 Design

The Washington County Board of Commissioners voted to appropriate $631,800 to Sunrise Engineering to design phase 2 of the Zion Sewer Extension project, subject to attorney review.

County staff told commissioners the project’s first phase of engineering and design is complete and construction contracts for that phase are out to bid. The phase 2 work approved at the meeting covers planning and design from the lower throttle up through the next construction segment, with the county paying invoices that staff said will later be submitted for state reimbursement tied to an $11,000,000 funding award.

The nut graf: commissioners framed the design appropriation as a necessary step to keep the multi‑phase sewer extension moving so construction can proceed on a timeline staff described as aiming for substantial work this year. The board and staff discussed environmental tasks and potential interagency roles before the vote.

During discussion, a commissioner asked about language in the proposal that would require engineers to prepare a biological survey and biological assessment “if not provided by the National Park Service.” The staff response said the park service was expected to provide those documents and that, in this project, the National Park Service was motivated to support the sewer work.

The motion to adopt the resolution appropriating funding for the Sunrise proposal passed by voice vote. Commissioners noted the appropriation and the resulting contract are contingent on final attorney review.

Less critical details: staff broadly described phase sequencing and said phase 1 construction was expected to be completed by year‑end; specific construction start dates and reimbursement timing beyond the county submitting invoices were not detailed at the meeting.