Calaveras supervisors approve $1.27 million change order for major road project over dissent

The Calaveras County Board of Supervisors on March 11 approved contract change order 60‑03 to contract 1200‑2103 with Wausocket Construction LLC, authorizing an additional $1,270,600 to complete remaining work on a long-running public works project.

The vote passed 3‑2 after supervisors raised repeated concerns about escalating roadway excavation quantities and schedule slips. Public Works Director Micah Martin told the board staff had identified remaining quantities and that the supplemental change order reflects work needed to finish the project. “We do see light at the end of the tunnel,” Martin said, and committed to closely overseeing completion.

Supervisor Gary Tofanelli and another supervisor pushed back on the excavation overage and contractor oversight. Tofanelli called out bid item 42 (roadway excavation) and questioned why cubic‑yard estimates and costs continued to rise, saying, “Every time you come forward…there’s always funds that they’ve gone over on.” Another supervisor said the project schedule keeps slipping and signaled there was “no appetite” for carrying costs into the next fiscal year.

Board members who voted to approve said they expected the final work to wrap up this year and that staff must tighten schedule and cost controls going forward. The motion passed 3‑2; the meeting record shows the item was carried by majority vote but does not list an individual roll‑call of yes/no votes.

The change order continues a series of supplemental adjustments the board has previously authorized for the same contract. Supervisors asked staff to bring clearer cost tracking and to monitor the contractor, UNICO/Wausocket, more closely to avoid further overages.

The board’s approval allows the county to proceed with the contractor’s remaining scope. Martin told the board he plans to be “heavily involved” to complete the project by year‑end.