TO: The Honorable Board of County Commissioners
THROUGH: John A. Titkanich, Jr., County Administrator
Michael C. Zito, Deputy County Administrator
Beth Powell, Parks, Recreation, & Conservation Director
FROM: Gustavo Vergara - Assistant Director, Parks, Recreation, and Conservation
DATE: August 28, 2025
SUBJECT: Gifford Aquatic Center Heater/Chiller Well System
__________________________________________________________________
BACKGROUND
In February 2025, the Board of County Commissioners approved an amendment to the scheduled Capital Improvement Program (CIP) that included the funding of $300,000 for a new well supply at the Gifford Aquatic Center that is a critical component for the heater/chiller system. The new system is necessary due to the failure of the existing surface wells, which provide water to the geothermal heat exchange system used to control the water temperature of the pool. The original funding request was based on preliminary estimates and an incomplete understanding of the full scope of work required to remediate the issue; however, staff has obtained actual project costs that exceed the initial projections. The system operates as a closed loop, where water is drawn from a source well and discharged via a separate well back into the aquifer in the same form it was extracted. The existing wells are surficial wells, which do not produce the quality or quantity of water needed to run the system properly. The new wells will extend over 650 feet into the Upper Floridan Aquifer and will be able to provide a continuous source of water at the required 90 gallons per minute. The new well system is a permanent and long-term solution to provide a stable water temperature for year-round use.
ANALYSIS
Staff received quotes from Centerline Drilling, referencing the Town of Jupiter Surficial Rehabilitation Program Contract, which the County is eligible to piggyback, and quotes from JLA Geosciences Inc., Hydrological Consultants “JLA”, with whom no competitive agreement is available to piggyback, and which will require Board approval, due to the total cost exceeding the County Administrator's current authority. These two vendors will perform services necessary to provide a new Upper Floridan Aquifer source and discharge wells, which includes all work needed to provide a clean source of water for the system and a return well to handle the discharged water. In addition, quotes were obtained from Complete Electric to run the necessary electricity and motor starter to power the pump motor, and from Meeks Plumbing to install the almost 650 feet of PVC pipe required to connect the new source well and return well to the system. The total cost of providing a Floridan well for the source of water to operate the geothermal heating/chilling system at the Gifford Aquatic Center is quoted at $501,198.62. This closed-loop system requires that water drawn from the source be returned to the aquifer in its original state. The quote does not include construction bonds or additional unanticipated site-related expenses associated with completing the project. It is recommended that an additional 10%, or $50,119.86, contingency be allocated to expedite project completion plus $15,000 for bond and permit costs, for a total project budget of $566,318.48. This is $266,318.48, or 88.8%, above the original budget.
A summary of the projected expenses is shown in the table below:
|
Task |
Estimate |
|
JLA - Engineering & Design Svc |
$ 9,026.00 |
|
Centerline Source Well Drilling Source Well |
$ 195,708.24 |
|
Centerline Return Well Drilling Discharge Well |
$ 195,708.24 |
|
JLA UFA Supply and Discharge Well CMS |
$ 66,226.00 |
|
Symbiont Heat Exchangers Test and Turn-Up |
$ 13,744.00 |
|
Centerline Well Pump (non-contract) |
$ 2,496.14 |
|
Complete Electric Well Pump Circuit and Motor Starter |
$ 5,520.00 |
|
Meeks Plumbing Source and Discharge Well Connectivity |
$ 12,770.00 |
|
Total |
$ 501,198.62 |
|
Contingency (10%) + Bond and Permitting |
$ 65,119.86 |
|
Total Project Budget |
$ 566,318.48 |
|
Over/(Under) Budget |
$ 266,318.48 |
BUDGETARY IMPACT
Funding, in the amount of $300,000 is budgeted and available in the Optional Sales Tax/Gifford Aquatic Center/GAC New Wells System account, number 31510572-066510-25027. The additional $266,318.48 will be included on the updated Fiscal Year 2025/2026 CIP, for a total project cost of $566,318.40.
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTIONS
On February 25, 2025, the Board of County Commissioners adopted ordinance #2025-005, Amending the text of the Comprehensive Plan’s Capital Improvements by updating the county's 5-year CIP schedule and related data and analysis sections. The well repair for Gifford Aquatic Center was included in that Capital Improvement Plan.
POTENTIAL FUTURE BOARD ACTIONS
Future approval of amended Fiscal Year CIP schedule.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
Infrastructure and Quality of Life.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff respectfully requests that the Board of County Commissioners approve the estimated additional costs necessary to complete the project, and issuance of the indicated purchase orders for the construction of a new Floridan well to a geothermal heating/chilling system at the Gifford Aquatic Center for $501,198.62 as noted above. Staff also recommends authorization for the Procurement Manager to approve increases to the purchase orders for the actual face costs associated with the permitting, public construction bond, and up to 10% in adjustments necessary to expedite the installation and completion of the project, for a total not to exceed amount of $566,318.48.
ATTACHMENTS
JLA - Engineering & Design Svc Quote
Centerline Source Well Drilling Source Well Quote
Centerline Return Well Drilling Discharge Well Quote
JLA UFA Supply and Discharge Well Construction Management Services Quote
Symbiont Heat Exchangers Test and Turn-Up Quote
Centerline Well Pump Quote
Complete Electric Well Pump Circuit and Motor Starter Quote
Meeks Plumbing Source and Discharge Well Connectivity Quote