City staff say funds are available to finish library construction; council to consider change order July 15

City staff told the Santaquin City Council on Tuesday that the city now has enough one-time funds to pay the construction-only cost to finish the new Santaquin library and will bring a change order to the council on July 15 to begin that work.

Norm (staff member) said the bid for the library as designed is about $2.7 million for construction alone and that staff believes roughly $500,000 can be trimmed by simplifying the lighting package and changing the ceiling type. He said the funding would come from four places: remaining Friends of Santaquin money, $550,000 set aside in capital projects, and proceeds from a recent CDRA property transaction, among other one-time sources. He emphasized this plan covers construction only — not staffing, furniture, fixtures or equipment.

The city’s mayor and staff said the approach avoids new, ongoing operating costs because the funds identified are one-time receipts. Norm told the council the work would likely require roughly a 12-month construction cycle once it begins.

City officials said the library fit-out will be sequenced so the building shell already in place can be completed with minimal disruption to ongoing operations in the same structure. Staff said they will return to the council on July 15 with a formal change order and the specific funding resolution for ratification.

Why it matters: The library project has been discussed with the council and community for years but has lacked a clear construction funding package. Council members and staff said this financing plan allows the city to complete the building shell and prepare the space for later staffing and outfitting, steps that will require separate funding decisions.

The council did not take action Tuesday on the construction change order; staff will present the formal contract and funding resolution at the July 15 meeting for council approval.