Valley County commissioners approved a $7,500 change order Oct. 8 to add drainage work on the Samson Trail pathway where neighbors reported increased pooling and runoff onto private property.

County public works staff described two change orders: a larger fill/asphalt-related change and a smaller drainage modification. Staff said the pair of change orders would allow construction to reach Ilka Lane and prevent water pooling on a neighbor's low-lying lot. The smaller drainage fix was identified as urgent to avoid creating a water problem for adjacent private property.

The county voted to approve the smaller change order of $7,500 and instructed staff to pay that amount from PILT funds. "That's needed. We need to do that now because I don't want to come back with a lawsuit from a landowner next year," a commissioner said during discussion.

The motion to approve the $7,500 change order passed unanimously. Staff will present the change-order paperwork for signature and proceed with the drainage work so the contractor can finish the pathway segment this season.

Speakers in this portion of the meeting included county project engineers and the road department; direct quotes in this article are limited to those speakers recorded during the discussion.