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Jackson County approves $3.2 million amendment and change order to advance Indian Springs water project
Summary
The Jackson County Board of County Commissioners approved an amendment adding about $3.2 million from the Northwest Florida Water Management District and a contract change order that extends the Indian Springs water project by 214 days to allow additional hookups, moving construction and inspection work forward.
Jackson County commissioners voted to accept an amendment that adds roughly $3.2 million to the Indian Springs water and sewer project and approved a related change order that extends the construction contract by 214 days.
The board’s administrator (speaker 3) said the additional funding from the Northwest Florida Water Management District brings more construction dollars into the multi‑phase project and extends the project timeline through 2028. The change order (No. 3) was described as necessary to allow more property owners to sign up to connect to the public water system; staff said about 87–89 of the 189 available connections had already signed up for the current phase and that participation is expected to rise before the August deadline.
Commissioner (speaker 4) asked whether the new dollars are construction funds or limited to engineering inspection services; staff replied the funds are predominantly for construction and for CEI services. The change order adds time to carry the contract through the sign‑up window and avoids the county paying for additional hookups out of pocket, officials said.
A motion to approve the grant amendment and authorize the chairman to sign carried. The board also voted to approve the associated work authorizations and CEI funding items that the amendment enabled.
The board recorded at least one dissenting vote on the change order debate, but the measure passed. Next steps include execution of the amendment documents and contract change order and continued outreach to property owners on hookup options and timing.
The county said construction work tied to the extended period will address connection capacity, and staff will bring additional contract paperwork back for signatures as required.
