Polk County approves engineering contract amendments and a regional water-project share

Polk County commissioners on March 4 approved multiple county utilities actions: an amendment to an engineering contract for the Northeast Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility expansion, a professional services agreement for planned improvements at the Southwest Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility, and Polk County's share of a regional Cypress Lake Alternative Water Supply project amendment.

County staff asked the board to approve Amendment No. 3 to the existing professional services agreement with Wright-Pierce for Part 4 construction administration services on the Northeast Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility expansion. The amendment adds $9,658,092 to the contract to support completion of five phased design packages and associated guaranteed maximum price construction addenda. The board approved the amendment by voice vote.

The board also approved an agreement with Black & Veatch Corporation for Part 1 professional engineering services on planned improvements at the Southwest Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility, a single expense not to exceed $3,100,586. Staff said Part 1 covers conceptual and final design, permitting and bid services; Part 2 (construction administration) would return for later board approval. Funding for both projects is available from the utilities division's community investment program and a combination of bond proceeds, connection fees and other utilities fees.

Separately, the board approved Polk County's share of Amendment No. 7 to the Cypress Lake Alternative Water Supply Agreement with the Water Cooperative of Central Florida. The amendment increases overall authorized expenditures on the regional project by $18,400,000; Polk County's share is not to exceed 10% of the total or $1,840,000. The amendment covers construction of two additional production wells, additional raw water mains, property acquisitions for wells, hydraulic-model updates, construction inspection services and consultant work on WIFIA and bond financing applications. The amendment becomes effective only after all participating parties approve and execute it.

Each item was presented by county staff, who said the projects respond to population growth and aging infrastructure and are funded through existing utilities programs. Board members did not request roll-call tallies in the transcript; motions passed by voice vote.

The approvals allow the county to proceed with design and construction-administration phases for major utility capacity and treatment upgrades, and to continue participation in the regional Cypress Lake alternative supply project pending final sign-offs from partner governments.