Board Approves Amendments to Indian Springs Sewer Agreement
By: Shelia Mader
At the county meeting last week, the Jackson County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a package of amendments and work authorizations tied to the ongoing Indian Springs sewer project, a critical infrastructure effort funded in part by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
County Administrator Jim Dean outlined the four agenda items, Items 22 through 25, which were bundled together as they all relate to amendment number seven of the master agreement with the state. This amendment incorporates additional funding to continue progress on the multi-phase sewer project along Blue Springs Highway.
Item 22 formalized the amendment to the overall master agreement.
Item 23 approved a new work authorization with Alday Howell Engineering to provide additional project management services.
Item 24 authorized project management and construction dollars for Phase 3A of the sewer expansion.
Item 25 authorized design and bidding services for Phase 3B, the next step in the project.
Commissioner Paul Donofro offered the motion to approve the full package, and it passed unanimously 5–0. Chairman Jamey Westbrook and other commissioners agreed to move forward with the group approval, with Westbrook adding a lighthearted comment about ongoing road conditions, stating, “I think I’m gonna knock a wheel off my truck anyway,” referencing bumpy areas affected by the project.
The commission also separately addressed Item 21, a change order tied to early delays in the project.
Dean explained that the contractor initially experienced setbacks due to COVID-era supply chain issues, specifically in acquiring control panels and pump components. The delays were compounded by a pause in the project when the county considered relocating the lift station at Wayside Park, adding further months to the timeline.
Commissioner Donofro questioned whether the delays stemmed from a failure by the contractor to act promptly. Mr. Daniels, “likely from the engineering or project management team”, clarified, that multiple factors contributed. Shop drawings underwent several rounds of review before approval, and some critical components took up to a year to manufacture after final approval.
The Wayside lift station rehab, part of the Phase 2B portion of the project, remains the final outstanding task. The rest of the phase, including installations in the Indian Springs area, is largely complete.
Phase 2B includes work along Appalachee Trail, the last stretch of waterfront development in Indian Springs before the terrain rises, as well as the high-profile lift station near Highway 90 and Wayside Park.
Commissioner Edward Crutchfield made the motion to approve the change order for the added 384 days, seconded by Donofro. The board approved the change unanimously.