Manteno trustees approve most invoices but hold HR Green engineering charges after $40,000 overage questioned

The Manteno Village Board voted to approve payments totaling $692,890.99 but amended the motion to exclude HR Green–related invoices after trustees raised questions about a large overage on a park excavation invoice.

Trustee Berry, a member of the finance committee, said the packet contained little documentation on several large bills and pressed for detail. “I have a lot of questions about them,” Berry said, noting that an excavation haul-off was quoted at 702 cubic yards for $27,378 but the contractor billed for 1,610 yards for $62,790.

The concern focused on whether the increase reflected an approved change order, a misbid, or an engineering error. Board members agreed they needed a clearer record of approvals and change orders before paying the disputed invoices; the board amended the payment motion to exclude the HR Green–related engineering invoices pending that review.

The amended motion to approve payment of the bills (excluding HR Green–related invoices) passed on a roll call vote. The board did not pay the HR Green invoices at that meeting and directed staff to provide a detailed breakdown and the village engineer’s documentation of change orders and quantities for the East Park work.

Trustees emphasized they did not intend to withhold legitimate contractor payments indefinitely but said the size of the discrepancy — which Berry described as roughly $40,000 — justified pausing those specific invoices while the facts were checked.

Ending: The board approved the bulk of the accounts payable that night and moved to gather documentation on the disputed engineering charges; staff and the village engineer were asked to report back with itemized invoices and evidence of authorized change orders so the board could resolve payment of the withheld items.