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Commission approves land buys for water projects, OKs 36-inch main extension during roundabout work
Summary
The Board approved two land acquisitions tied to the county's water infrastructure plan and authorized a change order to extend a 36-inch water main while the I-07B roundabout is under construction.
The Effingham County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 7 approved purchase agreements for two large tracts of land identified for the county’s water infrastructure and related public-works needs, and authorized a contract change to install a 36-inch water main extension while a roundabout project is underway.
What commissioners approved: The board approved a purchase agreement to acquire approximately 99.26 acres (Tract 3, map 432 parcel 34) intended to be the site of a future water treatment facility and public works campus. Commissioners also approved acquisition of about 297.6 acres at 2714 Sandhill Road (map 301 parcel 44 and related tracts) to secure a conveyance corridor and potential discharge options for the county’s effluent line, and to expand county-owned Atlas Park property.
Change order for roundabout contractor: The board authorized a change order (presented as needed scope change) to J.A. Long Inc. to extend a 36-inch water main at the Bluejay Road/Hodgeville Road roundabout project for $496,514, according to staff. County engineer Jonathan Holm told the commission that doing the extension now, while the roundabout contractor is mobilized, will avoid a later rebuild and is substantially cheaper than tearing up a completed roundabout; staff estimated later installation could cost roughly $650,000–$700,000 and would disrupt a finished project.
Why it matters: The land purchases are directly linked to the county’s new water treatment plant and long-term transmission-line planning and are intended to reduce future construction costs and routing complexity. Running the 36-inch main now protects the new roundabout from future disruption and locks in a lower construction cost, staff said.
Funding and procurement context: County staff said funding for the 36-inch main extension will not come from T-SPLOST funds but from the county’s utility financing tied to the water treatment project. Staff also said the selected contractor is in place already for the roundabout, making the scope change administratively efficient.
Board discussion and concerns: Commissioners pressed staff on fittings and material costs for the large-diameter main; equipment and specialty fittings drove a significant portion of the change-order cost. One commissioner asked about schedule effects and whether approving the full change order immediately would shut the site down; staff said much of the work had already been performed and that approving the change order would keep the contractor from stopping work while the county pursues cost recovery and further negotiation with the project engineer.
Next steps: Staff will finalize closing on both land transactions and proceed with the water-main work under the change order. The county attorney will review contractual remedies for seeking cost adjustments with the design engineer where staff has identified omissions or deficiencies.
