Commissioners authorize contingency change order for Clifton package plant replacement

The Greene County Board of Commissioners voted May 15 to approve the use of owner's contingency funds and authorized the county administrator to sign a change order for the Clifton package plant replacement project, restoring scope elements that were removed from the original contract to control cost.

County staff explained the project had trimmed some items to lower the guaranteed maximum price (GMP). With the project near completion and contingency funds available, the county will add back work items such as replacing drive gates, installing bollards and relocating a blower away from a residential neighborhood. The board approved the expenditure and signed authority without additional public comment.

Staff said the replacement unit is already operational, will be left with two units temporarily during demolition of the old unit, and that the new package plant provides about double the previous capacity. Staff estimated the plant currently serves roughly 300 homes in the Clifton area and that the system was sized to meet EPA-required upsizing standards for new installations. No change to county service rates was discussed.

Motion to authorize the expenditure and allow the county administrator to sign the change order passed unanimously by voice vote.

Commissioners said the plant upgrades are largely external and would be unnoticed by passersby, but they welcomed the modernization and the lower construction mobilization needs that prompted adding the trimmed scope while contractors were on site.