Marion County approves $5.77 million contract to excavate Detroit Lake marinas after public protest

Marion County commissioners on March 12 approved a $5,774,158 public improvement agreement with Sigman Excavation and Construction to excavate beneath two marinas at Detroit Lake, a project county staff says will lengthen the summer season for lake businesses and improve local resiliency.

The project will excavate under Detroit Lake Marina and Cain’s Marina and place the material to extend the Osprey Point peninsula, create a protected shallow recreation area and clarify the safe boating channel, County Community Services Director Kelly Weese told the board. "We are looking at excavating underneath the 2 marinas at Detroit Lake in order for them to operate at a lower lake level," Weese said.

The board vote followed public comment from Dylan Boeschler of North City and Paving Company, who said his firm’s appeal of the county’s award decision was denied. "How and why can the county justify spending a million dollars more on the same or less of a project with the exact same contractor?" Boeschler asked, urging the commissioners to "do a full overhaul and review of your procurement processes." He said his company would not pursue litigation or media but wanted the protest to serve as a "wake up for the county." The board did not take public questions but heard the comment.

Weese said the work is intended as economic and resiliency investment after the 2020 wildfires, and presented county estimates that excavation could add about $1,200,000 annually in direct and indirect economic activity and about $14,600,000 in net economic benefit over 20 years. She said the primary construction window would be the fall 2025 drawdown through winter 2026, with substantial completion targeted by May 1, 2026; a secondary window through December 31, 2026, could be used if needed. "The earliest that construction is set to begin is after this lake season, 09/01/2025," Weese said.

On financing, Weese said the project currently has about $5.1 million identified from multiple sources but does not yet fully cover the contract price. Identified funding cited to the board included $3,000,000 from Marion County American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocations, $2,000,000 from a 2023 congressionally directed spending request routed through HUD, a $60,000 grant through Business Oregon’s Brownfield Redevelopment program and $50,000 in county economic development lottery funds. Weese and commissioners said the county will pursue additional congressional directed spending and Opal Creek Promise funding and may allocate more state or lottery economic development dollars.

Commissioner Cameron raised the contract’s procurement history, noting the project went out to bid twice and the same low bidder prevailed both times. "What kind of changes are you making to make sure that this sort of thing doesn't happen in the future, where we have to rebid a project?" he asked. Weese said staff and contracts and procurement were working to tighten checklists and notification procedures. "We are ready and willing to to continue and keep keep growing," she said.

Before the final vote Commissioners disclosed potential conflicts of interest: Commissioner Cameron and the chair both said they use one of the marinas themselves and noted the population benefiting from the project is wide; neither commissioner recused. Commissioner Willis moved approval of the agreement; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote, with all commissioners saying "aye." The motion approved the agreement through December 31, 2026, and allowed a conditional extension to the end of that drawdown period if the board later authorized it.

The board record and staff packet show the contract includes standard change‑order controls; the contract lists a 1% change‑order cap. The contract price is $5,774,158; 1% of that amount is about $57,742. County staff said any change orders above the contract cap would require a separate board order.

Boeschler’s public comment asked the board to reconsider procurement practices; commissioners asked staff about process improvements and about funding sources. Weese said staff will pursue additional federal and state canyon‑specific funds and return to the board with funding updates as needed.

Construction preparation will begin if the board authorizes moving forward with the vendor and as lake drawdown schedules allow; no excavation work is planned during the 2025 summer lake season.

Votes at a glance: The board approved the public improvement agreement with Sigman Excavation and Construction for $5,774,158 to perform excavation and related work at Detroit Lake marinas. The motion passed by voice vote; recorded names were Commissioner Willis (mover) and an unnamed second; all commissioners voted in favor.