Burke County approves runway design task order and airport septic change order
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Summary
Burke County commissioners approved a runway pavement design task order to pursue FAA funding and accepted a change order for the new airport terminal septic system after failed perk tests required a pump-and-grinder solution and off‑site disposal.
Burke County commissioners on a regular meeting approved a design task order for runway pavement work and accepted a change order to modify the airport terminal septic installation.
Tim Fredland of Maizauer told the board the runway shows buckling and differential settlement near the 4,000–4,500-foot mark and recommended design work and geotechnical exploration before construction. The task order is for design and bidding documents only; Fredland said the county would pursue discretionary FAA funding that would cover about 95 percent of construction costs, with about 2.5 percent state and 2.5 percent local share. A design fee figure of $150,002.61 was presented for the work; staff said the project is eligible for reimbursement under an existing grant (percentage discussed during the presentation). Commissioner Nicks moved to approve the task order and Commissioner Bridal seconded; the motion passed.
Separately, project staff explained that several septic test sites at the new terminal failed perk tests because much of the airport sits on fill and wetlands. The team tested multiple locations; the only passing site is on a hill about 500–550 feet from the terminal. The fix described and approved by the board is a pump and grinder with roughly 500 feet of piping to a gravel bed on higher ground. Staff acknowledged the change order raises ongoing maintenance questions because lift stations and grinder pumps require continuing upkeep. Funding was described as coming under a 75/25 state grant (county obligation approximately 25 percent) and staff said they are awaiting confirmation from the state about possible higher reimbursement as a reimbursable eligible item. Commissioner Bridal moved to accept the change order and Commissioner Kelly seconded; the board approved the change order.
Board discussion included why perk testing had not identified the issue earlier and whether alternative solutions were evaluated; project representatives said the terminal site could not be perk-tested earlier because it had been cut and filled during construction, and they presented the pump-and-grinder alternative as the least-cost option among those evaluated.
The approved runway design task order and the septic change order together aim to keep the airport project on schedule but also introduce potential ongoing maintenance costs if the lift station/grinder solution is used.
The board did not set a construction authorization during the meeting; next steps include finalizing grant reimbursement details and completing design work to seek construction funding.
