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 board approved creation of 75 full‑time positions within Polk County Fire Rescue to reduce recurring mandatory overtime. Staff estimated the initiative’s annual cost at about $9,200,000, with roughly half ($4,600,000) to be transferred for initial hires from the general fund reserve for budget stabilization in FY 2024–25; future annual funding would come from a mix of the general fund and the fire fund. Commissioners asked for a hiring plan and timeline before or during hiring; staff said the division has been hiring more than 75 people annually in recent years and is building an in‑house recruitment function.

The board voted to deny a request to close West Lake Marion Road for 60 days, approved two expedited comprehensive‑plan and land‑development code amendments and several parcel‑specific future land‑use map changes, and approved two vacations of platted or deeded rights of way (portions of Moseley Road and of Marina Drive on the Poinciana plat) required to clear title for a county land purchase. Staff said utilities and county divisions had been notified and had no objections to the right‑of‑way vacations aside from a single Toho Utilities comment about possible future needs; Toho reported no current plans.

Votes at a glance

- Guaranteed Maximum Price Addendum No. 2 (Wharton Smith Inc.) — approved; amount not to exceed $30,421,036; contract time 824 calendar days; funds available in utilities five‑year community investment program. (Manager’s office staff presentation; motion and approval recorded.) - Polk Regional Water Cooperative amendment (Heartland Headwaters Protection and Sustainability Act / DEP grant LPA0212) — approved; Polk reimbursable expenses not to exceed $416,098. - Create 75 full‑time Polk County Fire Rescue positions — approved; estimated annual cost $9,200,000; initial FY 2024–25 transfer $4,600,000 from general fund reserve for budget stabilization. - Deny road‑closure request for West Lake Marion Road (60 days) — approved (denial). - Expedited land‑use approvals (cases LDC PAL 2024‑12; LDCT 2024‑19; LDCPA L 2024‑11; LDCPAS 2024‑27 LaRoche Road CPA; companion text amendment LDCT 2024‑22 Section 2.135) — all approved (planning commission recommended approval; adoption hearings held). - Parcel‑specific requirements and buffering for La Roche Road realignment — approved (applicant will provide opaque fencing and landscaping along re‑aligned road). - Vacations of right of way (Moseley Road / Camp Monson quitclaim areas; Marina Drive in Poinciana Neighborhood 3 North Village 7) — approved by board motion; legal descriptions recorded in resolutions attached to agenda. - Consent agenda (payroll, wire transfers, invoice checks) and minutes for Feb. 4, 2025 — approved. - Reappointments/appointments: Steve Bissonette (Citizens Healthcare Oversight Committee, senior citizens seat, 03/02/2025–03/01/2029) and Connie Bamberg (Citizens Health Care Oversight Committee, business community seat, 03/03/2025–03/02/2029); Chad McLeod (Tourist Development Council, effective 02/27/2025) — all approved.

What commissioners and staff said

County staff framed the wastewater addendum as a needed step to meet projected growth in the county’s Northeast utility service area; staff described the expansion in five phases and said funding is available in the adopted utilities capital plan. Commissioners asked about overall project cost (staff said $120 million–$140 million range) and financing timing; staff said $47 million in prior bond proceeds remained available and staff and the county’s financial advisor were working with underwriters to time future borrowing when market conditions are favorable. Commissioners asked how long the 9‑million‑gallon capacity would serve the Northeast service area; staff estimated it would likely meet projected demand to about the 2040–2045 timeframe and that the plant was planned for later expansion to 12 million gallons per day if required.

On the 75 new firefighter/paramedic/EMT positions, commissioners asked for a hiring plan and timeline; staff said the division has been hiring at high levels and is taking recruitment in‑house.

Why it matters

The votes authorize a major multi‑year capital construction contract and equipment procurement tied to regional growth, add new first‑responder positions that change recurring personnel costs, and move several development and title‑clearing actions forward. The wastewater authorization and the fire‑rescue staffing decision together signal significant near‑term county commitments to capital and personnel spending that will affect future CIP and operating budgets.

What’s next

Staff said the wastewater GMP addendum must be administered under the existing contract and construction schedule; long‑lead equipment procurement will begin. The county manager and staff will return with financing timing recommendations when market conditions are appropriate. The board asked staff to provide a detailed hiring plan for the 75 new fire‑rescue positions.