SUBJECT
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Approve the lnterlocal Agreement between Polk County (County) and the City of Lake Wales (City) for the provision of wholesale wastewater service (County to pay to the City for wastewater capacity in the amount of $1,047,849 and recurring monthly user fees as described in Section 7 of the aforementioned Agreement); budget transfer of $1,047,849 from Northeast Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility Electrical and Communication Network Conversion project (American Rescue Plan Funds) and an amendment to the FY 23/24 Utilities Community Investment Program (CIP) Expansion budget.
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DESCRIPTION
In February 2021, the Crooked Lake Park Sewerage Company, the owner and operator of the wastewater collection and transmission system and a domestic wastewater treatment facility (WWTF) which serves the Crooked Lake Park community, delivered notice to the County of the company’s intent to abandon those wastewater facilities. On March 25, 2021, Polk County was appointed as the receiver of the Crooked Lake Park wastewater collection system and associated wastewater treatment facility. Subsequently, the County has completed or is in process of completing numerous rehabilitative repairs of the collection system, so it complies with Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) requirements. To reduce operating costs and the potential for costly WWTF upgrades to maintain regulatory compliance, the County is pursuing a means by which the Crooked Lake Park WWTF can be decommissioned.
The County wishes to secure bulk wastewater service from the City which would improve County efficiency, reduce long-term County operating and capital costs, and leverage the City’s wastewater treatment capabilities in the vicinity. The City is amenable to providing such service contingent on agreed upon payment schedules and satisfactory construction of the wastewater connection improvements. Accordingly, the County is in the process of constructing a wastewater force main from the Crooked Lake Park community to an agreed upon connection point with the City’s existing wastewater system at US Hwy 27 and CR 640. The County and the City collectively agree that the City providing bulk wastewater service to the County will benefit both parties and will allow the County to decommission the existing Crooked Lake Park WWTF.
RECOMMENDATION
Request Board approve and execute the lnterlocal Agreement between Polk County and the City of Lake Wales for the provision of wholesale wastewater service. Also request Board approve the transfer of $1,047,849 from the Northeast Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility Electrical and Communication Network Conversion CIP project (American Rescue Plan Funds) and an amendment to the FY 23/24 Utilities Community Investment Program (CIP) Expansion budget.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding is available in the amount of $1,047,849 in the American Rescue Plan Fund and will be available in the Crooked Lake Park Receivership project budget following a CIP amendment and transfer from Northeast Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility Electrical and Communication Network Conversion project budget. Monthly user fees based on Section 7 of the aforementioned agreement will be available in the Wastewater Plant Operations - Operating Budget.
CONTACT INFORMATION
James Tully, PG, PE
Utilities CIP Projects Manager
(863) 344-1848
jamestully@polk-county.net <mailto:jamestully@polk-county.net>