Board approves small net deduction in construction contract change order after staff explanation

The Board of Public Works approved a construction contract change order identified as item 25-0649 on Monday; the board voted by voice and the measure passed unanimously.

Board members approved the change order after staff explained that the net effect is a “tiny deduction” and that the change reflects an even swap across pay items. The staff member said the adjustments respond to work found in the field and contractor difficulties completing certain items, and that the change “is to basically compensate them for work that has already been done with inflating the unit cost, but it's to be balanced over the entire project.”

Council President Dickinson moved approval; Director Train seconded. Council member Goggin asked for clarification before the staff explanation, saying, “I would just like this explained a little bit, I wasn't perfectly clear of what, it looks like a pretty even swap.” After the staff answer and brief discussion, the board took a voice vote and approved the change order unanimously.

The board characterized the adjustment as largely a reallocation of unit costs across the project rather than a material net increase; staff described the upward changes as being blended over the project to balance with deductions. The board did not discuss specific dollar amounts, contract identifiers, or contractor names during the public portion of the item.

The board handled the matter during its regular session after taking other routine business. No further directions to staff or follow-up actions were recorded on the transcript for this item.