Board approves $88,121 change order for law enforcement center finishes and agrees to replenish project contingency

The Hubbard County Board approved a construction change order totaling $88,121.11 (PR 12) to add interior finishes in administrative spaces of the law enforcement center (LEC) and voted to allocate up to $250,000 from 2025 capital funds to replenish the project contingency.

County project staff presented the change request as an owner-requested finish package for east-side administrative areas that were originally outside the construction scope but need matching finishes to align with renovated spaces. "What this is is complete demo on the inside... removal of all the existing finishes, and reinstall new finishes to align and match with the spaces that we are already touching," the project presenter told the board while showing drawing excerpts.

Staff said PR 12 covers new paint, carpeting, ceilings, lighting, diffusers and fixtures for rooms including locker rooms, bathrooms, a printing room and several offices. The request amount of $88,121.11 was presented as the cost to proceed with the added finishes. Staff also identified related added carpets and casework lock work that raise the total pending additional scope; the project manager said the combined pending scope was being tracked at roughly $113,000 for board reference.

During discussion staff noted the project still held about $300,000 of contingency but that earlier code and plan-review-driven change orders have already been recorded. To avoid drawing the project contingency down, staff proposed moving up to $250,000 from the county's 2025 capital fund into the project contingency; any unused funds would be returned to the capital fund at project close.

Commissioner Dave moved to approve PR 12 for $88,121.11; the motion carried on a voice vote. A subsequent motion to allocate up to $250,000 from 2025 capital to replenish contingency and be returned if unused also passed on a voice vote.

Staff said some furnishing costs would be paid by department funds (Sheriff's office contributions for furniture) rather than project funds, and that the construction schedule would not change materially though some interior renovation turnovers were pushed later due to material lead times.

Ending: County staff will record the change order, transfer up to $250,000 from 2025 capital to the project contingency as approved, and report back in the next budget update with an updated project balance and remaining contingency.