Jackson County told major Verigee energy upgrades will miss March substantial-completion date; landfill ownership and courthouse access cited as causes

Jackson County commissioners heard a detailed progress report from Verigee on a multi-site energy-efficiency and infrastructure project and were told several major components — including geothermal work at the courthouse and a wastewater treatment installation at the county landfill — will not meet the contract's March 31, 2025, substantial-completion date and are now expected to finish later in the year.

The update, delivered during a public study-session item, covered completed work (LED lighting retrofits and HVAC replacements at multiple county facilities), near-term installations (solar canopies and controls) and problem areas that Verigee said have pushed the schedule back: extensive coordination with the city on a courthouse parking-lot reengineering, utilities encountered around Wesley Street, permitting and an ownership dispute over part of the landfill parcel that requires state action before county permitting can proceed.

Why it matters: the delay affects active county operations and carries potential cost consequences. Commissioners raised concerns that missed milestones could increase county expenses (for example, continued leachate hauling from the landfill) and asked whether the county or Verigee would bear those costs. Verigee and county administration told commissioners they are pursuing solutions, including pushing an asset transfer through the state legislature so county permitting for the landfill can move forward.

Verigee's reported progress and problems Verigee told the board it has completed LED lighting…