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Franklin County approves communications-site evaluations, dredging task order, hospital permitting and paving change orders
Summary
The board approved a package of capital and contract items: a $285,600 engineering proposal to evaluate sites for five new communication towers for the Triumph first-responder upgrade, a task order to obtain dredging permits and bidding documents for Indian Creek (funded from Tourist Development Sales Tax where eligible), a museum grant extension, Fort Coombs change order, hospital permitting proposal to be reimbursed, and a District 4 paving change order totaling $134,673; approvals were unanimous.
County fiscal staff and engineers presented multiple capital and contract items on Dec. 17 that the board approved in a single motion.
Triumph First Responder Communication System: Erin Griffith said Omnicom Consulting has advanced system design and recommended preliminary site evaluations. The attached proposal of $285,600 would fund survey, FAA/FCC/SHPO and local clearances for five new communication towers and improvements at two leased tower sites; staff asked the board to authorize the chairman to sign the proposal once the funding agency (Triumph Gulf Coast) completes its review. The board approved the item as part of a consent motion (items 1–7) by a unanimous vote.
Indian Creek channel maintenance: County engineers Dewberry presented a task order to obtain necessary state and federal permits and prepare bid specifications for maintenance dredging of the Indian Creek navigational channel, including surveying, geotechnical evaluation and environmental review. Staff said Tourist Development Sales Tax revenues will provide funding because channel maintenance is an allowable use under FS 125.0104 for certain categories; the board approved the task order contingent on Tourist Development Council approval at its January meeting.
Museum grant, construction change orders and facility items: The board approved a Division of Historic Resources contract amendment extending the TDC Maritime Heritage Museum completion deadline to June 30, 2026; change order #3 for Fort Coombs Armory convention center for $10,541.80 to address additional rot damage at windowsills and baseboards; retroactive approval to remove a derelict building at the future Eastpoint Nature Center site (staff had earlier paid for demolition); and an architectural proposal of $17,875 from Gary Gargus to permit Weems Memorial Hospital’s backup generator project, to be paid by Weems and reimbursed from the county Health Care Trust Fund.
Roadwork and contracts: The board approved a District 4 County Road 2025 Paving Project change order estimated at $134,673 to resurface two roadway sections in Apalachicola under the same contract pricing. The board also approved an updated agreement with the Apalachee Regional Planning Council to continue GIS services (with approximately a $3,000 increase) and authorized an extended five-year lease for Jingoli (lease extension effective July 2026) contingent on Attorney Shuler’s review. The board approved a $3,900 topographical survey estimate from Dewberry related to a Duke Energy land-swap matter.
All items presented in this package were approved by unanimous votes (5-0) or approved contingent on required reviews by funding agencies or the county attorney as noted.
Next steps: staff will submit required documents to funding agencies (Triumph Gulf Coast, TDC), obtain required permits and independent reviews for dredging and other capital projects, and return with vendor estimates and procurement documents where necessary.
