NASH COUNTY, N.C. — The Nash County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 6 approved a change order to incorporate $250,000 in ARPA interest funds into the contract for Northern Ash Water System Improvements Phase 2 (Contract 2), ensuring those accrued funds were encumbered in the project before year-end.

Deputy County Manager Jonathan Boone explained the county had set aside contingency funds for the Busco Contractors contract when the board approved the award on Dec. 2. Interest accrued on the ARPA funds while they were held in county accounts; county finance staff recommended encumbering the interest allocation to the project to remain in strict compliance with guidance for ARPA funds. The county manager executed the change order so the funds would be encumbered before calendar-year 2024 closed; the board approved and ratified the change order on Jan. 6.

The board voted to approve a $250,000 change order to the Busco Contractors contract and authorized the county manager to execute the change order on behalf of the county. No further discussion was recorded.

Ending: The change order will be incorporated into the project contract and allows the county to use ARPA interest funds already earned on the ARPA deposit to cover contingency needs for the Northern Ash Phase 2 work. Further project updates will be provided as construction proceeds.