Lake City approves study of Brantford Crossing for effluent disposal, OKs interlocal wastewater deal with Columbia County

Lake City council members on Feb. 18 directed staff to begin engineering work to evaluate the city‑owned Brantford Crossing property as a potential wastewater effluent disposal site and approved an interlocal agreement with Columbia County to operate a nearby industrial‑park wastewater treatment plant.

The council adopted resolution 2025‑027 to accept a proposal from MidTower & Associates Inc. and authorize task order number 13 for $90,600 to evaluate the 454‑acre Brantford Crossing site and determine feasibility for “restricted public access land application effluent disposal,” city staff said. The mayor signed the task order language authorizing the city to execute the work; staff recommended the study to establish disposal capacity the city will likely need as wastewater flows increase.

Why it matters: Lake City’s current annual average daily flow to disposal is roughly 2.5 million gallons per day (MGD) and the plant is permitted for 3.0 MGD. City staff warned the council that the community’s growth will require additional disposal capacity soon. The Brantford Crossing property is city‑owned and staff told the council it is the most readily available option for expanding disposal capacity without new land acquisition.

Staff presentation and technical points Lead operator Tyler Todd and public works staff described how the headworks, aeration basins, clarifiers and wetlands function in the city’s treatment process. Public works staff noted the city’s existing wetland disposal area is unlined and that contemporary state guidance favors lined wetlands or other engineered infiltration systems; a previous constructed wetland (2016) is unlined and the state now prefers lining. Staff said the Brantford site soils and size appear suitable, but MidTower’s field testing (soil borings, infiltration tests) will determine how much acreage is required and which disposal technology (lined wetlands, rapid infiltration basins, spray fields) is appropriate.

Interlocal agreement The council also approved resolution 2025‑028, authorizing an agreement with Columbia County for the city to operate the wastewater treatment plant at the North Florida Mega Industrial Park (the plant is county‑owned). City supporters said the arrangement helps regional economic development by assuring treatment capacity for industrial customers.

Votes and procurement Council members moved and approved the MidTower task order and the interlocal operating agreement in separate actions; city clerks recorded roll‑call votes at the meeting. The task order was presented as a professional‑services procurement to design and test the site before any policy decision about land use is made.

Public comment and a competing proposal A private developer, Tim Williams, told the council his firm has an interest in the Brantford site and offered a possible land swap of a similarly sized parcel north of town (near the landfill) that he said could be “no cost to the city.” Williams urged the council to postpone the MidTower task order while his team reviews engineering alternatives. City staff and the city manager responded that Brantford Crossing is already owned by the city and, in staff's view, is the lowest‑cost, fastest path to additional disposal capacity; staff recommended moving ahead with testing.

Next steps MidTower's task order will fund soil borings, infiltration testing, and a feasibility report that will return to the council with costs, recommended disposal method and timelines. Staff said construction for new disposal capacity can be staged and that full build‑out of the site could support long‑term community growth. The council approved the MidTower work and the Columbia County operating agreement and asked staff to return with the engineering report and cost estimates.