Osage County approves extension for Veil Away CDBG wastewater project to allow completion and closeout

The Osage County Board of County Commissioners approved a contract amendment and signed correspondence Oct. 14 to request an extension for the Osage County Veil Away Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) wastewater collection system improvement project.

Brett Wagner of Governmental Assistant Services told the board the grant’s completion deadline with CDBG was expiring and that construction difficulties — including COVID‑era inflation and supply chain disruptions that increased material prices and delayed work — necessitated an extension. The county’s CDBG administrative extension request was drafted for a 10‑ to 11‑month push‑out to allow construction completion and closeout with an anticipated new completion and closeout window in early 2026.

Commissioners made and seconded a motion to approve submission of contract amendment request number 3 and associated cover letters. The board voted in favor and the chair signed the necessary documents for mailing; staff said they would scan and email originals to CDBG and follow up with project budget updates as requests for payment are processed.

The contractor and engineer provided background in meeting materials indicating rehabilitation work is complete for much of the system and that remaining work centers on lagoon rehabilitation and final specialty services. Staff said KDHE and other permitting/loan processes had added time to the project timeline.

The action preserves the county’s compliance with federal CDBG timelines and keeps the grant open while the project finishes construction and moves through closeout procedures.