Lee County approves contract to rebuild Fort Myers Beach wastewater plant with elevated, flood-resilient design

Lee County commissioners voted Feb. 17 to approve a contract to restore and expand capacity at the Fort Myers Beach Water Reclamation Facility, citing extensive storm damage from Hurricane Ian and the need for flood‑resilient treatment infrastructure. Talia Bickel, representing Lee County utilities, told the board the design elevates the new administration and electrical buildings to about 16 feet—above the FEMA 500‑year flood elevation—and aims to protect long‑term treatment capacity for the town and nearby unincorporated areas.

The project will reconstruct critical treatment infrastructure and incorporate resilience measures to reduce coastal‑flood vulnerability, Bickel said. County staff showed 3‑D renderings and presented a multi‑year funding plan; grant funding and loan forgiveness will be used for parts of the work and do not require repayment, according to the presentation. Bickel warned the board that contingency funds shown in the forecast are projections, and any change orders or contingency expenditures above $100,000 will require separate staff review and ratification by the board.

Commissioners praised the presentation for thoroughness and oversight. One commissioner noted the difficulty of demolishing an operating plant while building a new one and commended staff for limiting change‑order authority, saying it signals to contractors that contingency funds are not ‘up for grabs.’ The board moved to approve the contract and an amendment limiting administrative authority over change orders; the motion was seconded and carried with no objection.

Bickel told the board construction could begin as early as next month and that project teams expect final or substantial completion around 2030. Staff said the actual annual spend will depend on the contractor’s progress, and that any contingency spending above the board’s threshold will be returned to the board for ratification.

The approval authorizes the county to proceed with the low bidder (identified in the presentation) and signals ongoing board oversight for future change orders and budget adjustments. The board did not set a different effective date; staff will return with implementation steps and any required reporting as the project moves into construction.