Council approves change orders and budget amendments for Silver Creek sewer pump station after Helene damage

The Morganton City Council on Sept. 8 approved two change orders and related budget amendments for the Silver Creek Sewer Pump Station improvements project, which the city said expanded after Hurricane Helene damaged existing equipment.

City staff said the project’s construction contract rises to nearly $6.5 million following the approved change orders; including engineering and other costs, staff told council the total project approaches $8 million.

Change order details approved by council: - Change order No. 2: $12,143.02 for a metal stairway providing code‑compliant access to the electrical platform. - Change order No. 3: $77,317.77 to replace an automatic transfer switch that staff had hoped to reuse but said was destroyed by Helene.

Sally Sandy said the change‑order funds would come from the project contingency. Council subsequently approved two budget amendments tied to the project: an $89,461 amendment to move contingency funds to construction expense (to cover the first change order and related costs) and a $190,700 amendment to increase the project fund to account for additional construction time and costs.

Councilors moved and approved each item by motion and voice vote; staff noted that the contract’s construction portion is now nearly $6.5 million and the overall project budgeted amount is approximately $8 million when engineering and other project costs are included.

The approved change orders were amendments to the existing contract with Brushy Mountain Builders for the Silver Creek project; council authorized the mayor or city manager to execute the contract amendments and necessary documents.

Council took the actions during regular business and approved the related budget transfers to allow the contractor to proceed.