Columbia County committee approves contracts, grant-backed park work and a $542,031 change order for Sugar Creek booster station

The Columbia County Public Works & Engineering Services Committee met Tuesday, April 22, and approved a slate of contracts, resolutions and projects including a $542,031.25 change order for the Sugar Creek booster station, a $3,241,864.42 contract to rehabilitate roads on Fort Eisenhower, and several other construction and procurement items.

The committee opened with a short presentation recognizing Little River Wastewater Treatment Plant staff for receiving the Georgia Association of Water Professionals’ wastewater plant of the year award. “They took the bull by the horns,” said Mr. Gordon, staff member, while praising the plant’s cleanliness and operations.

Why it matters: the meeting advanced multiple capital and maintenance projects that affect county roadways, stormwater infrastructure and wastewater operations, and approved budgeted purchases and contracts that will trigger construction or procurement activity this year.

Most significant actions

- Sugar Creek booster station change order: The committee approved a change order totaling $542,031.25 to relocate and upsiz e a septic/drainfield discovered during construction adjacent to the booster site near a fire station. Construction staff told the committee the original drain field was under trees and had been sized for four people but must be enlarged to serve 11 current users, requiring relocation, additional excavation (including removal of about 5 feet of contaminated soils across the site) and associated disposal costs. Staff recommended approval of the change order.

- Fort Eisenhower road rehabilitation: The committee approved a contract with Beams Contracting in the amount of $3,241,864.42 to rehabilitate multiple roads on Fort Eisenhower (formerly Fort Gordon). County staff explained Columbia County will act as procurement and financial agent for the base; the base will reimburse work approved by its Department of Public Works and provide an 8% administrative fee to the county. Jacob Center, preconstruction department staff, said the base receives funding quarterly and that the contractor must complete the first roadway within 120 days after notice to proceed to allow the base time to secure further federal funding.

- Traffic control center video wall: The committee approved a $702,241.18…