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St. Joseph County commissioners approve roundabout right‑of‑way, water‑plant change order and routine items
Summary
At a regular meeting the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners approved a right‑of‑way services agreement for a Douglas/Bittersweet roundabout, authorized a change order adding a fourth well to the SJEC water treatment project, approved a timekeeping contract and reappointed two Board of Health members.
The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners approved a series of routine and capital items during a regular meeting, authorizing right‑of‑way work for a roundabout, a major change order for a water‑treatment project, and several personnel and procurement actions.
Sky Meaders of the Department of Infrastructure Planning and Growth described a right‑of‑way services agreement with the Lochmuller Group for the Douglas Road at Bittersweet Road roundabout. Meaders said the acquisition work totals $74,300 and is funded through a federal aid grant that will cover 80 percent of the cost; the county’s 20 percent match is about $14,860. “That’s a heck of a deal,” Meaders said, and staff recommended the board approve the agreement. The motion passed with aye responses from commissioners present.
Staff also presented a change order for the SJEC Water Treatment Plant Phase 2 project after geotechnical test wells showed an additional well was needed. The board was told the change order covers construction of a fourth well, a new well house and related items; the project total was revised to $17,395,129.68, an increase of about 7.535 percent. Staff asked that the board approve the change order with the numerical corrections noted during the presentation; the board voted in favor.
John Butler of the Auditor’s Office asked the board to approve a contract with Before Time Attendant Solutions to replace the county’s timekeeping system. Butler said the firm would not agree to change the contract’s governing jurisdiction to Indiana because the company is based in Michigan, but he and other staff recommended proceeding given the county’s prior working relationship with the vendor. According to the minutes, the board removed the item from the table and approved the contract.
The board also approved routine items including the accounts payable docket and the IPG consent agenda. Two people were reappointed to the Board of Health: Jill Capps Van Braun and Ellen Rhinelander. The board agreed to table the employment contract renewal for Peter Duffy in the Department of Health so staff can make additional corrections.
No members of the public signed up for comment. Commissioners said they will clarify agenda language to make clear how public comment on agenda items is handled and to note that sign‑up is not required to request the privilege of the floor. The board recessed after the items were handled.
