Oak Ridge council adopts CIP, approves park design contract and awards Veterans Honor Green bid; approves pay adjustments

The Town of Oak Ridge council voted to adopt the town’s 2025–26 Capital Improvement Plan, approved a contract extension to design phase 2 of Heritage Farm Park, authorized pay‑grade adjustments based on a regional market study and awarded a construction contract for Veterans Honor Green phase 2, among other routine governance items.

The council approved the 2025–26 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), a five‑year planning document that programs major capital expenses. Council members debated an earlier decision to postpone Phase 2 of Heritage Farm Park but ultimately approved the CIP as presented. One council member said the plan is "solid" for long‑term capital spending but urged moving the sports courts portion forward when funding allows.

On Heritage Farm Park Phase 2, the council approved a $10,000 lump‑sum proposal from McGill Associates to produce an updated master plan, conduct a community recreation needs survey, host a design workshop with stakeholders, and deliver a final conceptual design with cost estimates. The scope specifically calls out tennis and/or pickleball courts and a basketball court as potential Phase 2 elements. Supporters said the design phase will give council information to make financing and design choices; opponents urged waiting until design costs and noise impacts are clearer. Council members stressed that approving the design phase does not commit the town to construction and that any engineering and construction steps would return to council for approval.

The council also awarded a construction contract for Veterans Honor Green Phase 2 to Parker Construction. The low responsible bid was $72,800; after value‑engineering adjustments the recommended contract price was $66,200. Council approved the contract with a contingency cap that keeps the total not to exceed the project budgeted amount of $70,180. Discussion over contingency size briefly delayed final approval; the council ultimately approved the award with the stated cap.

Separately, the town presented results of a market pay study completed by the Piedmont Triad Regional Council. Ann Taylor of PTRC reviewed the methodology and recommended adjustments to bring entry‑level pay closer to market. Council adopted pay‑grade changes affecting 11 positions with an estimated total budget impact of about $22,933 (including benefits). Council deferred any separate discussion or adjustment to the town manager’s compensation to a later meeting.

Other routine items approved included an appointment of Brad Rentz as an alternate to the planning and zoning board and a budget amendment to record a Parks project and security camera expenses spanning fiscal years. The finance officer’s monthly report and related housekeeping amendments were also approved.

Votes at a glance

- Adoption of 2025–26 Capital Improvement Plan — Outcome: approved; tally: recorded as "ayes have it" (motion carried). Note: council discussed delaying Phase 2 sports courts funding.

- Approval: Appointment of Brad Rentz as alternate to Planning and Zoning Board/Board of Adjustment — Outcome: approved; tally: ayes have it.

- Approval: McGill Associates proposal for Heritage Farm Park Phase 2 design (lump sum $10,000) — Outcome: approved; tally: motion carries.

- Approval: Pay‑grade adjustments based on PTRC market study (affects 11 positions; budget impact about $22,933) — Outcome: approved; tally: ayes have it. Town manager compensation was excluded from the motion and will be considered separately.

- Award: Veterans Honor Green Phase 2 construction contract to Parker Construction — Outcome: approved after value‑engineering; contract $66,200 with contingency capped so total does not exceed $70,180; tally: final confirmed 4–1 on reconsideration.

- Budget amendment to record prior fiscal‑year project spending and security camera completion — Outcome: approved; tally: ayes have it.

What council members said

Bill Bruce, town manager, and staff repeatedly emphasized that the McGill scope is for design only and that any construction would return to council for approval. Ann Taylor of the Piedmont Triad Regional Council summarized the pay study and told council the recommended adjustments would put many positions closer to market minimums.

Council members debated timing and scope of park improvements, with concerns raised about costs, noise related to pickleball courts and the need to obtain a robust design so the town does not have to revisit the project shortly after construction. One council member noted prior public outreach from the 2020 master plan and said the new design will provide updated cost estimates and community input to refine options.

Next steps

Staff will proceed with the McGill Associates design work for Heritage Farm Park Phase 2, proceed with contract execution for Veterans Honor Green Phase 2 under the awarded contract and implement the approved pay‑grade adjustments in the personnel budget. The town manager will present any separate discussion about his compensation at a future meeting if council chooses to take that up.