The Kokomo City Board of Public Works and Safety on Aug. 27 approved a partial release of contractor retainage for the Sparks Road project, releasing $415,132.60 plus any accrued interest to E and B Paving LLC and retaining $150,000 until adjacent-site stabilization and regulatory sign-off are complete.

John Piker, the city's director of engineering, said the construction of the road itself is complete and the road has been open for several months. He told the board the consulting engineer and contractor agreed on an analysis that estimated additional time for final approval from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) and the city's MS4 erosion‑control process because adjacent private‑site construction must stabilize first.

Piker said the stabilization is anticipated to take roughly three months at an estimated cost of about $25,000 a month, which supports retaining $150,000 while releasing the balance of the retainage.

Board action: The board approved the partial release and the payment to E and B Paving LLC.

Why it matters: Partial release moves contractor funds while keeping a holdback to ensure adjacent construction meets erosion‑control and permit conditions required before IDEM/MS4 will finalize project sign‑off.