Boone County committee backs change-order rules for construction; moves amendment to full board

The finance committee on April 10 voted to forward an amendment to the Boone County purchasing policy that would set formal approval thresholds for construction change orders and require compliance with state change-order rules.

County staff introduced the amendment as a way to keep construction projects, including the courthouse renovation, moving while providing approval controls. The proposed new section would authorize the county board chairman to approve change orders up to $10,000; require committee or county board approval for change orders between $10,000 and $30,000; and require full county board approval for change orders greater than $30,000. The amendment also allows the chairman to approve change orders above the standard threshold in an emergency and to report such actions at the next meeting. Staff said the policy would also ensure compliance with the Public Works Contract Change Order Act (the act includes a threshold that change orders totaling 50% or more of the project cost trigger additional procurement steps).

"So it kind of stays with, with how you've been approving purchasing anyway," a county staff member said while explaining thresholds and emergency provisions. Committee members emphasized the need to manage change orders for the county's courthouse project, an older building where unseen conditions are likely to surface once work begins.

A motion to move the amendment to the full county board passed; the motion was made by Carl Johnson and seconded by Marion Thornberry. Committee members voted in favor by voice vote and the item will appear on the county board agenda for final action.

If approved by the full board, the new section will standardize how the county handles contract changes for construction projects and clarify emergency authority and reporting requirements.