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Finance committee asks Cleveland Utilities to honor contract after Sim/Goodwin waterline invoice exceeds budget
Summary
Bradley County finance committee voted to ask Cleveland Utilities to abide by its original contract after an invoice for the Sim/Goodwin Road waterline project arrived above the county's budgeted amount; staff will await the utility's reply.
The Bradley County Finance Committee on Feb. 10 voted that staff should ask Cleveland Utilities to honor the contract for the Sim/Goodwin Road waterline project after the final invoice arrived higher than the county's earlier estimate.
County staff said the commission previously appropriated American Rescue Plan Act funds for the project by passing Resolution 2023-54, and that Cleveland Utilities provided an invoice for the completed work. “We have an invoice from Cleveland utilities, which you'll find on page 2 of your agenda packet in the amount of $64,005.62,” county staff member Laurie said, adding that the amount was “$3,930.07 dollars more than we originally budgeted.”
Laurie told the committee the county's ARP allocation for the project had been exhausted and said staff could either ask Cleveland Utilities to cover the difference or identify another internal funding source. “So what do you guys — how are we gonna pay the bill, or do we think the utility should pay the bill?” the chairman asked the committee.
Commissioner Slater moved that staff contact Cleveland Utilities asking the company to abide by the contract it signed and cover the overage; Commissioner Alford seconded the motion. The committee approved the motion on a voice vote. The committee directed staff to notify Cleveland Utilities and report back when the utility replies.
The committee discussed alternative funding sources if the utility declines, including the county's HCI fund, but took no final funding decision pending Cleveland Utilities' response. The county will not draw additional ARP funds for the item until the utility's position is clear.
Next steps: County staff will transmit the request to Cleveland Utilities and return to the committee with the utility's response and any recommended funding options.
