The Monticello City Council on June 9 approved a contract for Phase 1 improvements at Oberheim Park and voted to amend the award to include a concrete upgrade, increasing the contract award to $7,512,586.05.

City staff presented the project as included in the current fiscal year general fund budget with a proposed expenditure of $8,000,000. Harry Summers, a staff member presenting the item, said, "This project was presented and approved to city council for inclusion in this fiscal year's general fund budget with a proposed expenditure of $8,000,000 for the phase 1 improvements." He told the council the low bidder was Mid Illinois Concrete and Excavation at $7,133,230 and that the contractor’s anticipated start date is July 1, 2025, with substantial completion targeted for July 1, 2026.

The council debated whether to accept an alternate bid to replace asphalt with concrete across the park. Discussion centered on up-front cost versus life-cycle maintenance: staff said the concrete alternate would add roughly $379,000 to the construction cost and engineering fees were estimated at about 10 percent of construction. Council members noted asphalt is cheaper up front and easier to install but requires more maintenance, while concrete carries higher initial cost, longer life and in-house repairability.

An amendment to incorporate Alternate Bid 1 (concrete) into the contract passed on a roll call. After math and appropriation discussion, Summers amended the contract award to $7,512,586.05. Council members voted to approve the resolution as amended.

Council members and staff discussed budget and schedule implications: the original budget figure of $8,000,000 includes engineering; staff estimated construction engineering and other remaining expenditures could push total costs near or above the $8 million appropriation, with part of remaining payments to fall in next fiscal year because the project spans construction seasons. Council members also raised the prospect of change orders and the city's prior grading work, asking staff to watch for cost drivers when contractor work begins.

The resolution approved the award of contract for Phase 1 at Oberheim Park to Mid Illinois Concrete and Excavation with the amended award amount and directed staff to proceed under the approved terms and timeline.

The council did not set a new public hearing or further review; staff indicated construction would begin in July and reporting on progress and change orders will continue through the construction period.