Halifax County approves $188,755 total for Stella Jones waterline; private company covers shortfall

The Halifax County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 17 adopted a resolution and amended project ordinance to increase the Stella Jones Waterline Replacement Project budget to $188,755 and to accept additional funds from Stella Jones to cover the shortfall.

County staff told the board the project’s final total cost is $188,755 and that Stella Jones Corporation agreed to provide additional funds to cover the gap between the original grant and the final cost. Cathy Scott, a county staff member who presented the item, said the company agreed to “provide additional funds in an amount not to exceed $65,721” when the shortfall was first identified and later confirmed the amount needed after engineering savings was $63,005.70.

The board opened and closed a public hearing on the appropriation without public speakers, then voted on the resolution. Commissioner Webb moved to adopt the resolution and Commissioner Redding seconded; the board voted in favor with no opposing votes recorded on the adopted motion. The board then considered and approved an amended grant project ordinance to increase the project budget, again voting in favor after motions were made and seconded.

Scott told commissioners that the original grant award for the project had been $125,185 and that after final cost adjustments and engineering savings the county required $63,005.70 from Stella Jones rather than the larger amount originally estimated. She said the contractor bid documents are ready and the county will sign the contract once approvals and funding are in place.

The board recorded the formal motions and approvals on the record and then moved on to the next agenda item.

Ending: The Stella Jones project ordinance and resolution were adopted during the Feb. 17 meeting; county staff confirmed the company-provided funds have been delivered to the county finance director and staff will proceed with contract execution and project implementation.