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Contractor disputes county change order on Bob Hall Pier reconstruction; mediation suggested
Summary
A contractor representing the Bob Hall Pier rebuild told commissioners it opposes a recent change order and asked for a meeting to resolve the dispute before mediation. County staff approved a change order in executive session and the court later ratified actions taken in executive session.
A dispute over a contract change order for the Bob Hall Pier reconstruction was aired to the Commissioners Court June 18 after a contractor representative said the company disagrees with the county’s change-order decision and requested a meeting to resolve differences before mediation.
What the contractor said: Project director Rick Alexander, speaking for the contractor (identified in the record as “Callen/Kallen Marine”), said the company had not been included in the county’s decision process and asked for a meeting so the contractor could explain its position and seek a negotiated resolution. He said the company would prefer informal settlement discussions and to avoid formal mediation if possible.
County action and next steps: During the court’s executive-session business the court authorized a change order for the construction contract (change-order number shown in the public motion and later recorded as change order 2 and 3 in different references). After the executive session the court ratified its earlier actions, including the approved change order. County staff told the contractor there is an established procedure for disagreements and that mediation is available under the contract if the parties cannot resolve the dispute through project-level discussions.
Why it matters: The Bob Hall Pier is a publicly funded coastal reconstruction project; disputes over change orders can delay completion and increase project costs. The court’s approval of the county manager/project team action signals the county intends to move the construction forward while giving the contractor and staff a path to resolve differences.
Next steps: County staff and the contractor said they will schedule meetings and attempt to resolve the dispute. If necessary, the contract provides for mediation; the contractor requested an early meeting to avoid escalation.
Ending: The court confirmed it will allow project-level dialogues and, if needed, mediation per contract terms; the pier work will proceed with the county-authorized change-order schedule unless further settlement is reached.
