Committee approves change order for courthouse project; net county cost reported as minimal after credits

Boone County’s finance committee approved Change Order No. 10 for the county courthouse project on Oct. 9. County staff and project architects described three components of the change orders, including added electrical outlets, an excavation-depth correction the architect accepted responsibility for, and post-construction guardrail modifications to a courtroom ramp.

Marco San Roman (Saavedra Group Architects) explained the change orders: adding outlets to an insulated wall in the charger chamber and extending wiring; accepting responsibility for an originally incorrect basement elevation in the contract drawings that required corrective work (the architect said the design team took full responsibility and provided a credit); and adding railings to a courtroom ramp at the judge’s request to match existing rails and satisfy code. The total listed change-order amount in the packet was $16,868; staff clarified the vendor invoice/credit results will reduce the net county cost. County staff said the net reflected on the county’s invoice after a credit for a prior item will be about $96.50 rather than the full gross amount.

The committee voted to approve the change order; Mister Riley moved the motion and it was seconded and carried by voice vote. County staff noted the documents will be updated to reflect the net impact after the contractor credit posts.

The approval will allow the contractor to proceed with the additional electrical work, corrective excavation and the ramp railing change; staff said the items either corrected errors or addressed code and safety concerns.