Polk County approves wastewater construction addendum, 75 fire-rescue positions and multiple land-use actions

The Polk County Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 18 approved a package of capital, staffing and land‑use actions, including a $30,421,036 construction manager at‑risk guaranteed maximum price addendum for the Northeast Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility expansion and the creation of 75 new full‑time fire‑rescue positions.

The board voted to approve a guaranteed maximum price addendum No. 2 with Wharton Smith Incorporated to fund electrical and communications improvements and plant‑wide upgrades for the Northeast Regional Wastewater Plant expansion. County staff said the addendum covers construction and long‑lead equipment (including odor control, submersible pumps and grit removal) and set a contract time of 824 calendar days. Staff told commissioners the project will increase the plant’s capacity from 6 million gallons per day to 9 million gallons per day as part of a multi‑phase program whose total cost is currently estimated in the “$120 million to $140 million” range. The board approved the addendum by motion; no recorded roll‑call tally was provided in the meeting minutes.

The board also approved an amendment to an existing agreement with the Polk Regional Water Cooperative to ensure Polk County may receive eligible reimbursements related to the Heartland Headwaters Protection and Sustainability Project and Polk County’s alternative water supply receiving facility. Staff said the county will seek reimbursement for eligible Polk project expenses up to $416,098 under a state grant (grant agreement number LPA0212) administered through the cooperative and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

On staffing, the…