OKEECHOBEE – Okeechobee County completed eight capital improvements projects in Fiscal Year 2026; All came in under budget.

Assistant County Administrator Justin Nelson said Infrastructure and Facilities Director Rollo Ridley and staff worked very hard to get these projects to come in under budget.

FY’26 savings totaled $3.2 million.

The biggest project was the Okeechobee County Jail Expansion. Phase 2 and 2B of the jail project were budgeted at $23.6 million and were completed for $20.78 million.

Three of the eight projects were funded by grants:

• Fire Station 1 Hardening Project was budgeted at $500,000 and cost $470,000.
• Fire Station 2 Hardening Project was budgeted at $280,000 and cost $205,000.
• Agri-Civic Center Roof Extensions were budgeted at $765,000 and cost $727,000.

Other projects completed in FY ’26 were:

• Kiwanis Park Sewer Connection was budgeted for $77,000 and cost $76,000.
• Facilities Maintenance Pole Barn Storage Facility was budgeted at $200,000 and cost $75,000.
• Road and Bridge Pole Barn Storage Facility was budgeted at $200,000 and cost $60,000.
• The Solid Waste Office Renovation/40’ by 40’ storage building demolition was budgeted at $200,000 and cost $77,000.