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Legislature approves $643,000 supplemental appropriation for OCC capital work after debate over change orders and payment authority
Summary
The Legislature approved a $643,413.91 supplemental appropriation and payment for Orange County Community College capital projects; members asked questions about $12,025.76 in change orders for roof tiles and received clarification that payment comes from surplus, not ARPA funds.
The Orange County Legislature voted on July 1, 2025, to make a supplemental appropriation to the 2025 county budget for Orange County Community College capital improvement projects. The resolution was presented by Legislators Luhan, O'Donnell, Cheney and Benton and carried by roll call 21-0.
During discussion, legislators reviewed a July 1 letter from Paul Martland of Orange County Community College documenting additional funds sought totaling $643,413.91 and noting a potential reduction of $12,025.76 if negotiations with a tile vendor succeed. Martland explained the largest change orders involved roof work on the Horton Building and identified two tile-related change orders (about $3,000 and about $9,000) that together total the $12,025.76 figure. He said Fusco Engineering is discussing possible consideration with the tile vendor.
Legislators asked procedural and procurement questions about why a vendor's sales estimate rather than final specifications informed the tile count; minority members pressed for clarity on project management and procurement oversight. Legislator Paduc asked why the salesman/vendors provided the original tile breakdown rather than the project architect or engineer. Martland said project management had been assigned to Fusco Engineering.
Commissioner Gallagher advised the chamber that the payment is not from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds but from surplus funds; she said if the final bill is less than the appropriation, the county will only pay the actual amount due and the balance would remain in surplus. "If the bill comes in short of the $12,000, I'm only paying what's shorted of that $12,000," Gallagher said.
Legislators also noted the state is expected to pay half of the eligible cost; the transcript reflects members' statements that state funding will cover a portion of the project but does not provide a complete line-item split in the legislative discussion.
After the exchange and the presentation by OCC representative Paul Martland, the Legislature approved the supplemental appropriation by roll call; the vote was recorded as 21 ayes, 0 nays, 0 abstentions.
Members asked county accounting and project management staff to confirm final totals and to report back if vendor negotiations reduce the change orders listed in the July 1 letter.
