BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Bradford County commissioners and officials from the city of Starke engaged in a pointed — but ultimately collaborative —discussion about the future of the long-anticipated water and sewer extension project, an essential step for encouraging development near the bypass.
Justin deMello, vice president and professional engineer with Woodward and Curran, gave a comprehensive update on the multimillion-dollar undertaking, which will be partially funded by $4 million of the county’s pandemic recovery money.
When Woodward and Curran began working for the city nearly six years ago, Starke was already considering water system improvements that included upgrading its water treatment plants, looping lines and installing a new elevated storage tank to improve water pressure and fire protection throughout the city. This aligned with new ideas about running water and sewer lines down State Road 16 to the U.S. 301 bypass, where the city has now annexed land for a new private multiuse development, details of which officials are still not discussing.
In addition to the memorandum of understanding between the city and county for the use of those ARPA funds, Starke — with the county’s support — has secured more than $4 million from the state. So far, only $100,000 of the county’s money has been spent to study alternatives to get wastewater to the bypass. Alternative funds have been spent in planning and engineering the water project.
Of the two sewer alternatives presented to the city of Starke, city commissioners chose a route from the bypass down Raiford Road and Orange Street, directly to the wastewater treatment plant. The plan reduced the projected cost from $11.8 million to $8 million. Even so, the project remains underfunded.
“The city is still seeking a pathway for full design and construction, but that’s not going to hold up the design,” deMello said. “We are going to proceed with that sewer design and move forward this alternative to while also going into this current legislative session and asking for a little bit more.” The city is also looking at grants, developer agreements and impact fees to help raise funds.
The sewer design phase for Orange Street is expected to take 12 months alone as the route requires going beneath a state highway and railroad crossing. A separate expedited design and construction phase could take place on S.R. 16. No connections will be made at the bypass until both water and sewer projects are complete.
The water designs are complete pending state approval, with hope the Florida Department of Environmental Protection will also award additional grant and loan dollars. The hearing is next month.
“Assuming that we get good news from DEP and the city is going to be awarded some loan/grants to hopefully execute that project, we’re looking at bidding and construction tentatively scheduled for early 2026 getting started, 12-month construction schedule,” deMello said of the water project.
The total cost is projected at $26 million — $18 million for the water project and $8 million for wastewater. Not all of that is being spent on getting utilities to the bypass, which was what the county committed to help with. Around $12 million will be spent on system improvements that support the utility extension.
County Commissioner Chris Dougherty lamented that the sewer project had changed from what the county was originally told, adding he had met with deMello in February and has still not seen a single set of drawings for the project. Those designs are just getting started.
“As I shared with the board, the last thing we wanted to do was turn over $4 million and never get one foot closer to the bypass. And that’s where we are right now. Quite honestly, that’s where we are,” he said. “I’m glad we didn’t release all of it, because again, at this point, the story’s changed. It’s changed almost drastically. And that’s very disappointing.”
Dougherty said they were originally told a completion date of fall 2026 and now they are hearing the water project will be complete by the end of next year, but sewer would take until 2027. In the meantime, design and construction costs are rising.
“The only thing I’ve seen this money go towards so far has been repairs to the city, which we were told anything within the city had already been taken care of, lift stations and everything. Now we’ve got an alternate route, so that backs you up to getting us plans to show us what direction we’re going in,” Dougherty said. He said it feels like they are starting over. “I don’t know that we get one foot further. I think we go 10 steps back. So, I’m just I’m disappointed.”
Even partially completed drawings would be an improvement, he said.
“Commissioner Dougherty’s right,” County Manager Scott Kornegay said. “I agree that things have changed since the time that we committed the $4 million in ARPA funds, and we still are incredibly excited, and we think this is a tremendous use of that money. We just want to be sure that that we understand where we are in the project, where the money’s being spent, and what we can truly expect in terms of the timeline.”
Newly seated City Clerk Chrissy Thompson promised better communication going forward. “I will make a personal commitment to you guys, that you will have information quarterly or sooner, and that we will get everything together so that we can still partner together and do good things for our community.”
“I know that everybody is excited together for what could be out at the bypass and what we have some commitment to doing and coming our way,” she said.
