County to consider $21,262 share of Bear Creek design amendment and $62,282 share of SCADA upgrade with Jacobs Engineering

Alcona County staff asked the Board of Commissioners to approve two cost shares tied to the Upper Oconee Basin Water Authority’s work with Jacobs Engineering.

First, staff said the Authority approved an $89,300 amendment to Jacobs Engineering’s design services for the Bear Creek wastewater treatment plant expansion. Alcona County’s proportional share of that amendment is 23.8 percent, which staff calculated as $21,262.33, and the request included authorization of necessary budget amendments for the life of the project.

Second, staff asked commissioners to approve participating in a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) upgrade for Bear Creek. Staff said Jacobs’ SCADA proposal would include a cybersecurity implementation plan, conversion of aging human‑machine interface software, and initial operator training and project management. The total SCADA services cost is $261,590, and Alcona County’s share was stated as $62,281.96. Staff recommended approval of both items and offered to answer commissioner questions.

Commissioners asked whether communications would rely on landlines or microwave links and were told the consultant study will identify the best approach; staff noted an existing fiber-optic line currently connects the system components. Commissioners also discussed cybersecurity and the potential to allow member governments view-only access for monitoring.