Washington County committees award engineering contract for process-control building, approve sewer change order and multiple equipment purchases

Washington County Public Works committee members on Jan. 28 voted to award an engineering services RFP for a planned Process Control Administration Building (PCAB), approved a small change order on a sewer rehabilitation project, accepted a state water-quality grant for a new brine system and moved several vehicle and surplus actions forward.

The award for the PCAB engineering work went to the firm identified in committee materials as Smozodode and Associates. Committee discussion during the meeting identified the county's current project estimate at $3,990,000 and the selected firm quoted an engineering fee of about 10 percent of the total project cost; committee members noted the county had qualified for full 0 percent financing and that a future bonding resolution and full board approval will be required before borrowing begins.

Why it matters: The PCAB project and its financing will commit capital and borrowing capacity. Committee members who questioned the item were told this award is the first step toward a bonding package that will come to the full board for review and approval. Committee members asked staff to return with expected design-year costs and other budget details before any borrowing is finalized.

Also on the agenda, the committee approved a small additional change order for the Sewer 1 rehabilitation project. Meeting materials showed the Sewer 1 work originally had a planning estimate of about $1,500,000; county staff reported actual construction spending so far of roughly $520,147 and recommended authorization of an additional change order of approximately $1,600 to cover a minor omitted item from an earlier change order. Staff said the project remains under budget overall and that an expected grant of up to $100,000 may further reduce net costs.

The committee accepted a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) water-quality improvement grant of $249,003 and approved a required county match of $62,260, for a combined project total of $311,263. County staff described the grant-funded purchases as a brine-making system, double‑walled storage tanks, tractors/trackers for spreading and salt-tracking equipment; members agreed to move the grant acceptance and associated budget amendment to the finance committee for final action.

On fleet and equipment matters, committee members approved declaring surplus a hopper sander and other items and directed staff to offer those assets first to local municipalities. The group also approved a plan to replace one planned patrol sedan purchase with a crew‑cab pickup so the sheriff's office can tow an off‑road vehicle and trailer purchased with a separate grant. The committee separately awarded a mini‑bid for a K‑9 capable Dodge Durango to Falls Dodge for $56,745.85 to supply a canine patrol vehicle outlined in the county budget.

What didn’t change: Committee discussion made clear these approvals do not by themselves authorize county borrowing or final finance actions; staff must return to finance or the full board where required. Several committee members asked for clearer multi‑year cost breakdowns for the PCAB design and for confirmation of the terms of the 0% financing.

The committee voted on each motion during the meeting and Chairs announced the motions carried.