Okeechobee Utility Authority outlines phased hookups, grant bidding for Oak Park and Buckhead Ridge

John Hayford, representing the Okeechobee Utility Authority (OUA), told the Okeechobee County Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 11 that work to extend sewer service to parts of the county is moving toward a phased, bid-driven approach.

Hayford said the OUA hopes Vac Station 4 (a vacuum pump station) will be certified “by the middle of next month, ready for connection,” and that Vac Station 5 should follow “quickly thereafter.” He said the authority is preparing a bid package to connect the first roughly 50 homes, split into smaller groups so smaller contractors can bid. “The 50 is comprised of 3 groups,” Hayford said; the plan is to roll subsequent groups out within weeks until the work covers all homes targeted for connection.

The board heard that there are “about 515 homes” anticipated for connection in the planned program; the first stage will seek bids for the initial 50 connections. Hayford said some grant dollars are available to help cover household-connection costs and that the authority will know more about how far those dollars stretch “once we get our first bid back.” He also cited a state timing requirement: “The state statute allows for up to 1 year to connect once it becomes available,” meaning property owners will have up to a year after an OUA system is put into service to hook on.

Commissioners pressed Hayford for clarity on timing and funding. Commissioner Sumner and others supported the OUA’s plan for using a managed bid process to produce uniform pricing and reduce confusion among homeowners. Hayford said the first bid package will include three subgroups totaling about 50 homes so smaller firms can compete; additional batches will follow until the estimated ~515-home total is complete. He cautioned that the OUA is more restrictive about sewer availability than water because of its agreements with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

On Buckhead Ridge — an area the board and OUA discussed separately — Hayford told commissioners that building a new sewer system there, starting from design through permitting, funding and construction, would take “at least 3 to 5 years from today” if the county started the process immediately. He said Buckhead Ridge presents higher costs than some other areas because any collection there would likely need a new treatment plant (the OUA would have to build or contract for), rather than pumping to an existing plant.

Commissioner Burrows suggested Glades County — where Buckhead Ridge lies partly — should lead on appropriation requests for that project, with Okeechobee providing support. Commissioners also discussed environmental reasons to prioritize moving homes off septic systems in lakeside neighborhoods and noted the difference in scale and cost between areas that can pump to existing plants (e.g., Treasure Island) and places like Buckhead Ridge that likely require a new plant.

Hayford said OUA has applied for several commerce and infrastructure grants to extend water mains on State Road 70 West and on the 78 corridor; he also said the utility is assembling a bid package to make household connections once Vac Station 4 is certified.

The board did not take a formal vote on any OUA motion in this discussion; commissioners asked staff to stay involved and requested monthly or 30-day status updates so the board can track hookup availability, bids and grant progress.

The OUA discussion included detailed staff Q&A about timing, the staged bid approach, grant availability and who would bear hookup costs; commissioners emphasized coordination among county staff, the OUA and neighboring Glades County for sewer expansions that cross jurisdictional lines.

Ending: Commissioners directed staff to continue coordination with the OUA and requested ongoing updates on certification, bids and funding. Hayford said he will return with confirmations about right-of-way routing and timing as details firm up.