The Boone County administration committee on July 10 approved three construction change orders for the McKinley Avenue project: an electrical service relocation and panel upgrade, replacement of a failing septic tank, and soil stabilization work to protect the existing courthouse foundation.

Why it matters: the McKinley project is part of the county’s broader capital program for courthouse and related campus work; these changes reflect site conditions discovered during excavation and are intended to avoid costly delays and protect existing buildings.

What the committee approved

- Electrical service upgrade (Change Order #12): County staff explained the morgue and coroner facilities share a 200‑amp service (100‑amp each), which is insufficient for the morgue’s equipment. Randy Darnell of CCS told the committee the design must be adjusted and the incoming service location moved; the change order is a not‑to‑exceed amount and staff expects some savings on final pricing. The committee approved the change order by voice vote.

- Septic tank replacement (Proposal: Spain Construction, $10,815): Staff said three septic tanks serve the campus; one tank under the planned garage footprint was aging and in uncertain condition and its leach field extended eastward. Changing the garage location would have required additional moves and costs; staff recommended replacing the single tank and relocating it away from the new garage footprint. The committee approved the proposal.

- Soil stabilization (ECO 28.3, Schedul’d Construction, $23,989): During excavation for a new addition, contractors discovered the existing 1986 courthouse foundation tied in only about a foot below a key interface point; digging deeper created a soil-stability risk for the existing foundation. The approved stabilization work will protect the original courthouse foundation; staff reviewed alternatives (underpinning, sheet piling) and described the stabilization as the most practical solution.

Fiscal context: project managers said the county has spent roughly $4 million of an anticipated $22 million total program so far. A prior capital item (DVR camera project) was quoted at $281,000 and came in at $230,000, producing some savings the sheriff noted had allowed additional camera purchases.

Ending: County staff said the McKinley work will keep construction moving and protect existing facilities; staff will return with any necessary contract adjustments and final invoices as work completes.