Islamorada officials are proceeding on an external audit to examine the nearly $4 million in wastewater repairs and maintenance done through a continuing services agreement with a local company.
Recently, council members expressed support for an audit after two resolutions came before the council in March that paid Page Excavating a total of $3.9 million for a series of repairs and maintenance to the village’s wastewater collection system. Some village council members had questions over the work and the associated dollar figure.
Village officials are working with the accounting firm Marcum, which will conduct the audit into the request for proposals and bid documents for Page Excavating that date back to 2018. The audit will review village resolutions and work authorizations, identify services performed by Page from May 24, 2018 to May 30, 2023 and identify additional work performed by Page, including poly check valve replacement. The audit will consult with the village regarding additional engineering testing for confirmation that the work was performed and done in quality fashion. The audit will also obtain documentation for vacuum pit ring repairs.
Attorney John Quick told the council at the June 8 meeting that Marcum’s proposal to conduct the audit is expected to cost $80,000. A majority of the council members were in favor of proceeding with the audit.
“I feel that whether everything was done properly, improperly, or the fact that it was done sloppy. … we need to fix the problem and not push the problem aside,” said Vice Mayor Sharon Mahoney.
Under the CSA, village staff present a work authorization for council approval that defines the scope of the work for each fiscal year and estimated costs. Through work authorizations under the CSA, Page has completed repairs and maintenance of the wastewater system, everything from addressing compromised concrete rings around vacuum put lids to replacing poly check valve replacements.
During fiscal year 2020-21, village staff learned that many poly check valves were malfunctioning within the wastewater low pressure force main. Rubber seals on the flappers were also deteriorating — allowing effluent to flow back into the grinder pumps.
A report by village staff stated that such failures were happening more frequently and had the potential to cause severe damage to homes and businesses.
Last March, the dais approved a $1.7-million payment to Page for excavating to replace 500 malfunctioning poly check valves, as well as concrete ring replacement around vacuum pit lids that were considered hazardous. The council also approved some $2.2 million to Page for installation of more poly check valves and repairs around more vacuum put lids. Per a village staff report, the village submitted many invoices from Page for capital project work for reimbursement through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Joaquin Miranda works as the village’s wastewater operations manager. He told the dais that maintenance of the sewer system requires boots on the ground each day. Wastewater is similar to a living organism, he said.
According to Miranda, the village has 62 concrete pits that pose a trip hazard. There are five pits that still need to be installed in the village.
“It’s a system we have to keep moving, whether it be a small project, because there are a lot of small projects that I’m running into,” Miranda said. “We still have projects that need to move forward with (new) valves put in.”
Councilman Mark Gregg shared his concerns regarding the cost to perform the audit.
“There may be more that needs to be done once they dig into it, which is code that it’s going to cost more,” he said. “Sue Miller spoke last time that the state offers audit services. I’d like to learn more about that.”
Mayor Buddy Pinder said time is of the essence.
“I just want accountability. That’s all,” he said.
