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Suwannee County approves $45,000 change order to finish Charles Springs floating dock project
Summary
The Suwannee County Commission voted 5-0 to authorize a $45,000 change order for unforeseen hard rock encountered while installing pilings for a floating dock at Charles Springs, using county parks funds to cover a grant shortfall so contractors could remain on site.
Suwannee County commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday to approve Change Order No. 1 with Saltwater Builders LLC, adding $45,000 from the county parks and recreation budget to complete piling work for a floating dock at Charles Springs.
County staff told commissioners crews encountered unexpectedly hard flint rock while drilling pilings and the on-site equipment could not complete the work. Jason Furry, filling in for county administration, said a subcontractor with larger drilling equipment had to be brought in and that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission grant associated with the project did not cover the additional cost. “They projected that to be limestone… they did not anticipate running into Flint Rock,” Furry said.
The additional $45,000 will come from the county’s parks and recreation budget so the contractor could remain on site and the project could continue under the terms of the FWC grant. Furry described the choice facing the county as either paying to keep the contractor working or pausing and rebidding, which would delay the project by at least 60 days. Commissioners approved the change order on a motion by Commissioner White, seconded by Commissioner Mobley; the vote was 5-0.
Commissioners and staff discussed similar hard-rock conditions at a nearby site across the river, where crews encountered the same drilling issues. Commissioner Clepper asked whether the adjacent site was worked on prior to Suwannee County’s contract; staff said the two jobs are being performed at the same time and experienced similar conditions.
The board’s approval keeps the dock and associated boat-ramp work moving forward so the county can use the FWC grant funding already awarded. The project manager noted that specialized piling equipment is expensive to mobilize, and that stopping now to rebid could increase overall costs and risk grant timeliness.
The project budget line for the $45,000 is recorded as a parks and recreation expense; the board did not vote to increase grant funding. The county will continue to manage the project and provide updates in future meetings.
