Commissioners amend Fort Richey settlement to clarify sewer/roadwork and county ownership; debate centers on bonds and prior support

The Washington County Board of County Commissioners approved an amendment to a 2019 settlement and mutual release with JG Business Link International (JGBLI) that updates responsibilities for sewer and road improvements on a former Fort Richey parcel.

Michelle Gordon, county administrator, said the amendment clarifies infrastructure responsibilities on the property and explains that upon completion the new sewer improvements would transfer to county ownership. Gordon recited prior support and funding provided to another Fort Richey parcel, including a county-held fund for lake and dam maintenance and a variety of grants and state allocations; she said the other parcel had received combined state and local grant supports and potential tax refund mechanisms "totaling" large sums (figures were provided on the record by staff).

Commissioners asked whether the county would be left to repair roads or sewer lines if the private developer did not complete required work. One commissioner urged that the agreement require the developer to post a bond before finalizing the amendment so the county would have funds to finish road or related work if necessary. Staff pointed to language in the amendment that says some roads (North Boy Street, Cushman Avenue, Hart Avenue and Lake Wasser/Wasler Drive as referenced in the papers) would be improved by the lessee and dedicated to the county after the county approves final design; staff also said the lessee is responsible for repaving to county standards and the county would not unreasonably withhold final approval.

Gordon described the sewer improvements as a way to increase capacity and to reduce infiltration and inflow (I&I) problems. She said the work would benefit both JGBLI and the neighboring parcel and that once road and sewer improvements are accepted they would convert to county maintenance and operations.

Commissioners discussed bonds and suggested including express bond language in the agreement; staff acknowledged that bond or escrow language could be added. A motion with an amendment to require protections such as bonds was made, seconded and approved by the board.

The record contains inconsistent spellings and abbreviations for some referenced names and roads (the amendment and staff remarks include “Lake Wasser Drive” in some places and “Lake Wasler Drive” in others; the developer is referenced as JG Business Link International and abbreviated in the record as JGBLI or variations). Staff recited multiple prior assistance amounts to a different owner of Fort Richey parcels and said certain state funds and local grant programs had been used on related infrastructure and building renovations.

The board approved the amended settlement as presented with the discussion points to add explicit bond language prior to final execution.