Lake Placid utility staff report plant milestones, asset-management progress and a budget review

Town staff gave technical and program updates at the meeting, reporting that several project milestones are approaching and that asset-management work is enabling loan closeout and future capital planning.

Key dates and status: staff said Balmoral lift station pump 1 has been installed and Lake Marquada pump 2 is out for repair. South Plant equipment is installed and staff expect Duke electrical connection completion by June 15. Penoni Engineering is overseeing construction-phase technical services. Staff said the wastewater treatment plant construction is expected to be turnkey on July 7.

Asset management and SRF: staff reported progress closing out a state revolving fund (SRF) loan and updating asset-management records that were requested in 2022; staff said they have completed or are actively addressing 12 of 20 priority action items, and have met roughly 32% of the specific target items called for in prior deliverables. The updates are intended to support future grant eligibility and capital-improvement planning.

Budget review: a notable outstanding item is a roughly $300,000 cost overrun on the plant. Rachel, the town finance director, is reviewing line items with Penoni Engineering and will present findings at the June 15 council meeting. Staff described the overrun as a combination of unforeseen conditions and inflation-driven cost increases; Rachel is auditing invoices and change orders before the council discussion.

Staffing and outreach: the meeting noted recruitment for a dual operator certificate and that open seats and staff vacancies have been publicly advertised (town website, newspaper and job platforms). Staff also described plans for public outreach and education about the septic-to-sewer program and said photographs and a site preview can be made available to residents who want to see installed grinder-pump systems.

What’s next: the utilities group and town council plan a joint July 16 workshop to align the implementation plan, CIP priorities and rate/rate-structure discussions with Florida Rural Water. Staff will return with the financial report requested by board members and the audit of the $300,000 overrun on June 15.