Council approves $15,000 increase for Reardon consultant after split vote; master plan draft to follow
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Summary
The Schererville Town Council on Sept. 10 approved a $15,000 increase to Reardon Consultant Services for phase two of the redevelopment project by a 3-2 vote after debate about time overruns, contract scope and town budget pressures. Consultant Pat Reardon said the additional funds are needed to complete a draft master plan within 4 to 6 weeks.
The Town Council of Schererville approved a $15,000 increase for Reardon Consultant Services’ phase-two agreement on the town’s redevelopment project on Sept. 10, following a divided debate about contract scope and municipal budget constraints.
Pat Reardon, representing the consultant, told the council the project has taken longer than anticipated and the firm would exhaust its remaining budget before delivering a final draft master plan. He said the additional $15,000 would cover the work and allow the firm to deliver a draft concept within four to six weeks.
Council members split on the request. A member who identified budget pressures and noted town department heads had been asked to cut budgets opposed the increase. The clerk’s roll-call recorded the outcome as 3-2 in favor: Councilman Caleb Johnson voted no, Councilman Kevin Conley (recorded as “Connelly” in the roll call) voted no; Councilwoman Robin Arvinitis, Councilman Robert Schmidt and Council President Rob Getzloff voted yes.
Why it matters: The vote allows the consultant to continue work on the redevelopment master plan and deliver a draft for council review. Several council members said they supported completing the plan but expressed concern about stretching limited municipal funds and whether the work should be accomplished through existing contract contingencies.
What was said: Reardon said the timeline extension, not scope change, caused the additional cost. Council members who opposed the increase said the town's engineering firm (American StructurePoint) typically works directly with the municipality and questioned whether the town should reallocate departmental budgets to cover consultant costs. Supporters said the work has progressed and the town should complete the phase.
Vote and next steps: The council approved the $15,000 increase by roll call (yes: Getzloff, Schmidt, Arvinitis; no: Johnson, Conley). Reardon said his team will present a draft master plan to the council within four to six weeks; council members requested staff and the consultant coordinate to circulate the draft and supporting notes to council members for review.
