Commission approves jail construction change orders and $1.876 million payment to River City Construction

Coffey County commissioners on Dec. 16 approved a set of change orders for the Coffey County Law Enforcement Center and authorized pay application No. 12 to River City Construction LLC for work completed through Nov. 30, 2024, in the amount of $1,876,041.74.

The action followed a detailed construction update from River City Construction and the county’s project manager, which itemized adjustments including skylight framing, masonry grouting, stud-size revisions, exterior signage and an added fire-alarm annunciator tied into the existing courthouse system. The board voted to deduct $3,103 from the project construction contingency for one set of credits and to add $3,204 to contingency for required work tied to a remote fire panel and dispatch monitoring. Commissioners said the guaranteed maximum price for the project remains $25,712,855.

Why it matters: The package covers a mix of contractor-requested additions and design clarifications that will affect near-term payments and the contractor’s schedule but — as approved — does not raise the total GMP. Facing a complex build with security, mechanical and life‑safety systems, the county said the changes address code, operations and site-specific conditions not fully captured in earlier documents.

Details: Change orders and associated explanations in the project paperwork included: - Skylight enlargement and associated framing and drywall work described as “clarifying the size of the skylights” (potential change order tied to a $26,404 subcontract request). - Masonry revisions for several block walls and increased grout/rebar requirements ($7,242). Project staff said portions of exterior or secure corridor walls needed taller builds to meet construction details. - Increasing stud size in one training room to match adjacent block conditions and simplify finishes (about $6,041 in costs). - A credit of $7,424 for removing drywall behind certain rear chases, a change initiated by the sheriff to preserve access and reduce cost. - Signage, letters and two additional seals added to the building façade ($23,239). - Deletion of two small HVAC units originally proposed into elevator shafts, a $17,301 credit after review showed the penetrations were not required. - A $1,709 addition to provide a sink at central control that was omitted from fixture tagging in the bid documents. - A $12,388 addition to provide a remote fire-alarm annunciator and wiring so dispatch in the new building can monitor alarms in the existing courthouse and jail; county staff cited specification-section coordination and the need to integrate the two systems.

Pay application: The approved pay application No. 12 covered completed work, stored materials and retainage, and the board authorized release of the $1,876,041.74 payment from the jail construction fund. River City and project staff walked commissioners through detailed line-item backup for subcontractor payouts including masonry, steel, roofing, security panels, mod-back plumbing and electrical materials. Project leadership said many exterior trades have finished and the work is now concentrated inside the building.

Board comment and oversight: Commissioners thanked River City and the project team for frequent documentation; county staff said many of the clarifications were routine as the job shifts from heavy exterior work to interior finishes. Commissioners emphasized transparency and their intention to hold the project to the budgeted GMP.

Next steps: Project staff will continue monthly pay-app reviews and bring any further change-order requests to the commission for approval. River City and the county will proceed with the documented plans for fire-alarm integration and the other approved changes.