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Marion County approves $32.96 million ARPA-funded construction amendment for North Santiam Canyon sewer project
Summary
The Marion County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) amendment adding $32,958,791 in ARPA funds to a Slayden Constructors contract, bringing the project total to $37,538,603 to build a new treatment plant in Mill City. Construction is slated to start June 2025 to meet ARPA deadlines.
The Marion County Board of Commissioners on May 14 unanimously approved a Guaranteed Maximum Price amendment to the Construction Manager/General Contractor contract with Slayden Constructors, Inc., adding American Rescue Plan Act funding not to exceed $32,958,791 and bringing the contract total to $37,538,603 to construct a new wastewater treatment plant in the City of Mill City.
Chris Einmo, who presented the item, said the amendment "is the construction amendment to actually build the treatment plant in the City of Mill City." He told the board the project replaces a temporary plant that is at the end of its useful life and adds primary, secondary and tertiary treatment — including nitrogen and nutrient removal, ultraviolet disinfection and biosand filters — to protect river water quality and allow rebuilding in areas affected by the 2020 wildfires.
Einmo said the state and project partners secured roughly $50 million in ARPA funding for North Santiam Canyon projects; the county’s GMP package includes a contractor contingency and allowances that increased the final amendment amount. He said an on-site gravel plant and other efficiencies reduced costs, and that an independent cost estimator reviewed the GMP proposal.
The project timeline presented to commissioners anticipates construction beginning in June 2025 to meet ARPA completion deadlines, with substantial completion targeted in late 2026 and final billing and closeout expected by December 2026. Einmo said clean-water testing and phased commissioning will begin before final completion so the City of Mill City’s operating team can take over operations.
County staff emphasized that Marion County is serving as the contracting and pass-through agency and is not supplying project funding; the plant will be turned over to local ownership after construction and commissioning. Commissioner Kevin Cameron moved approval of the GMP amendment; Commissioner Colm Willis seconded the motion and a voice vote was unanimous.
The board recorded that the county will continue to work with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality on necessary operating permits, and that a discharge permit is anticipated once the reactor biology is operational (anticipated by September 2026).
