Coffey County’s health department renovation reached a procedural milestone on Dec. 23 when the board approved a $600 change-order credit and signed a certificate of substantial completion for Phase 1, while noting roughly $20,000 in remaining work.

Health department staff reported concrete cutting and patching are complete and framing is in place. They said contract casework was downgraded from a premium to a matte finish due to availability, prompting a $600 credit reflected in change order No. 2. The department also presented a certificate of substantial completion for Phase 1, which lists outstanding items (cabinet defects, restroom ventilation work, doorknobs) estimated at about $20,000; staff said the contractor will not invoice for that sum until the work is complete.

The board approved the chairman’s authority to sign the change order and the certificate. Health department staff estimated overall completion by mid-February, and commissioners advised staff to keep documentation and copies for the county record.

Next steps: contractor to finish remaining punch-list items, county to withhold the final invoice for outstanding work until completion, and staff will update the commission when Phase 1 is fully finished.