MILLPORT, Ala. — The final hurdle for the City of Millport to break ground on its waste water lagoon has been cleared.
Mayor Icie Wriley announced Monday the city’s agreement with Lamar County to purchase 22 acres on land adjacent to the current lagoon, which has to be aerated by hand by city employees.
Wriley said the city will make a one-time payment of $25,000 to Lamar County, roughly $3,000 less than the initial asking price, Wriley said.
“We had to look to all corners to find the money, but we’ll be able to do it,” Wriley said.
Wriley will meet with contractors and engineers for a pre-construction conference in two weeks before crews begin work.
Millport received a $350,000 grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs in November. The project has missed deadlines for accepting bids and completion, though the city has received extensions from ADECA.
The city faced the possibility of losing the money if it didn’t find a resolution to fit bid specs, which, through two rounds, drew a range up to more than $1 million.
The project still figures to run more than $58,000 over budget, but the city’s matching portion of the grant and built-in project contingency fund should help cover the excess costs.
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