Autauga County OKs $6.39 million ARPA boost for Pine Level sewer project

The Autauga County Commission voted unanimously on Nov. 19 to adopt Resolution #2025-6, allocating up to $6,387,163.26 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) revenue-replacement funds to cover increased costs for the Pine Level wastewater and sewer collection project.

The resolution amends earlier commitments and redistributes the total to cover both portions of the project: $3,229,218.77 to the Autauga County Sewer Authority for the force main and related work, $3,154,007.00 to the Autauga County Industrial Development Authority for the wastewater treatment plant and pump station, and $3,938.49 to reimburse in-kind materials costs provided by the county highway department. The commission recorded the motion to adopt the resolution as made by Commissioner Rusty Jacksland and seconded by Commissioner John L. Thrailkill; the roll call was recorded as a unanimous vote of the five commissioners present.

The resolution cites the U.S. Department of the Treasury Final Rule on ARPA funds and Alabama statutory authority. It authorizes amendments to two prior funding agreements: the ACSA (Autauga County Sewer Authority) Funding Agreement and the IDA (Industrial Development Authority) Funding Agreement, increasing the obligations to cover specific change orders discovered during construction. The resolution also limits the use of these funds to purposes permitted by the Treasury Final Rule and sets internal deadlines for obligation and expenditure consistent with ARPA requirements.

County documents included in the minutes state that change orders and unforeseen site work during construction increased costs for both portions of the project; the resolution reallocates funds to realize cost efficiencies and cover those additional obligations. The published text in the minutes identifies the amounts allocated to each authority and states that the funds are inclusive of prior allocations under Resolutions #2023-27 and 2024-21; it instructs the ARPA program director to ensure compliance with federal rules.

The amendments approved by the commission were described as necessary to finalize contractor payments and contractor change orders. No additional public comment or debate is recorded in the minutes; the commission proceeded with unanimous recorded approvals to amend the agreements and authorize the expenditure plan.

The commission’s approval allows the project to proceed with the revised budget and contract amendments; next administrative steps include executing the amendments and obligating the funds within the time limits established by the resolution.