DeBary approves $358,575 sinkhole remediation final costs; general fund to cover shortfall

The City of DeBary on Tuesday authorized final change orders that bring the cost of a sinkhole remediation project to $358,575, with $170,000 already included in a prior budget amendment and the remaining $188,575 to come from general-fund reserves.

City Engineer Richard Villasenor told the City Council the original approved package totaled $161,790 — including Helicon for $145,000 and ECS geotechnical services for $16,790 — and a 10% contingency of $14,500. Field work ran from Feb. 24 to April 3 and required 29 days on site. Villasenor said contractors reported grout intake exceeded initial estimates, making precise forecasting of material needs difficult.

The council approved a Helicon change order of $178,105, which includes the previously approved $14,500 contingency, and an ECS change order of $18,680. City staff explained that the nature of void-grouting remediation often prevents exact pre-project estimates because subsurface voids and loose materials are not fully known until work begins.

Villasenor said the project was necessary to stabilize the right-of-way and private property where voids had formed beneath the road and some private yards. The city will complete final invoicing and closeout after authorizing the changes; the council voted to authorize the city manager to execute the change orders. Councilmembers emphasized the urgency of completing the remediation to protect roadways and houses and noted the project’s cost, with one councilmember saying, “We’re handing out a lot of money tonight.”

City staff said $170,000 of the total had been included in a March 5, 2025 budget amendment; the remainder will be covered from reserves and included in a future amendment. No separate reimbursement source was identified in the meeting.