Soda Springs city officials voted Wednesday to authorize the mayor to sign an agreement with the Idaho Transportation Department to advance a Highway 30 project, with final signature conditioned on attorney review and a written response to council concerns.
The council said the move will let ITD go out to bid while the city and its attorney finalize language about costs and the allocation of up to $2.5 million in project expenses.
Councilmember Alan (project manager) told the council the agreement would allow ITD to proceed to bidding and that the $2.5 million figure is a planning cap to permit bidding; the actual contract would reflect the winning bid. City Attorney Tom said the council should require written clarifications and edits before the mayor signs. Councilmember Mitch moved to authorize the mayor to sign if the stated concerns are addressed and Tom approves the revisions; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.
Council members expressed two main concerns: clarity about whether the city would be required to cover change orders above the $2.5 million planning number, and how the city’s share would be apportioned among water, sewer and street funds. Staff said the budget identifies likely sources (water, sewer and street funds) but that final costs will reflect the contractor bid and any approved change orders.
Tom, the city attorney, will circulate proposed contract edits by email to the mayor and council; council members said they expected to see the revised language before the city’s signature. The council also asked staff to confirm whether ITD would require an upfront cash payment, a reserve, or another form of assurance to proceed to bid.
The council’s action does not authorize construction spending; it authorizes the mayor to execute the agreement after Tom confirms the written revisions address the council’s concerns. The measure passed on a motion and second.
The city’s next steps: staff will work with Tom and ITD to get written revisions, circulate them to the council by email for review, and, if acceptable, the mayor will sign so ITD can advertise the project and select a contractor.