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Bowling Green approves $750,000 change order to address spike in sinkhole repairs
Summary
The commission approved change order No. 2 to a sinkhole repair contract, adding $750,000 and bringing the year's total for demolition and sinkhole repairs to $1.18 million after a spring flood and summer drought produced an unusually high number of sinkholes.
The Board of Commissioners on Oct. 21 authorized a $750,000 change order to the Scott & Ritter Inc. contract for sinkhole demolition and repair, bringing the total contract spending for FY26 to $1,180,000.
City engineering staff described an above‑normal number of sinkholes this year following heavy spring rains and an unusually dry summer. Staff said most sinkholes occur in post‑developed, low‑lying drainage areas, utility easements and rights‑of‑way. Nick Lawhon and Matt Powell explained the city's sinkhole repair program, noting that full excavations to bedrock have had better long‑term performance than earlier, partial repairs. They reviewed repeat‑repair sites (including the 1700 block of Singletree Way and a collapse at Lovers Lane Soccer Park) and said the city is pursuing approximately $888,000 in FEMA public‑assistance reimbursement for earlier work tied to recent flooding.
Staff told commissioners the city had budgeted $200,000 for sinkhole repairs this year (up from prior baseline), but recent events and the cost of full‑depth fixes required the larger change order. Commissioners had questions about alternative technologies and long‑term durability; staff said they will prioritize full‑depth repairs where feasible and use temporary measures only when immediate safety or budget constraints require them. The change order was approved by roll call vote.
