Sedgwick County staff told commissioners at an agenda meeting that engineering costs for Project R-364 have risen and they are seeking additional capital improvement program (CIP) funding to cover the higher bids and added work.

Project R-364, described in meeting materials as a corridor reconstruction on a county arterial, requires amended CIP funding before the county can approve an engineering services contract, Lynn, a county staff member, said. "The proposals that came in, they were higher than we anticipated, and we also ended up negotiating some additional work into that contract. So we're seeking additional funds, to be able to cover that work as well as the higher than expected engineering fees," Lynn said.

County staff told commissioners they have seen a broad increase in engineering fees over the past two years and that partner municipalities are reporting similar trends. "We have found that engineering fees over the last 2 years have increased much higher than we had anticipated," Lynn said. The staff presentation explained that the county needs to approve the additional funding in the CIP (item S) before it can execute the engineer contract (item T) associated with the project.

Commissioners did not take a formal vote at the agenda review; the item was flagged for the regular meeting for action. No specific dollar amount for the requested CIP amendment was provided during the discussion, and staff indicated they would present the detailed funding request when the item returns for action.

The county also said the contract for engineering services will follow approval of the CIP amendment; county staff urged commissioners to consider the request so the agreement can proceed on schedule.