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Lake Clarke Shores approves budget amendments and final change order to close out Pine Tree Lane bridge
Summary
Council approved a budget amendment to fund the recently completed Pine Tree Lane bridge, identifying funding from surtax, utilities, loan proceeds, gas tax and general reserves, and authorized a final change order totaling $62,978.16 to close out the project.
The Town Council of Lake Clarke Shores voted on Nov. 11 to amend the town’s fiscal 2024–25 budget to cover the final costs of the recently completed Pine Tree Lane bridge and to approve a final contractor change order.
Town Manager Joe told the council the closeout requires roughly $2.9 million in total funding. He said proposed sources include $945,000 from the county surtax fund (the 1¢ infrastructure surtax), $350,000 from the town’s utilities fund to cover new water and pipe work, $779,000 in loan proceeds from a 2019 low-rate municipal loan, $190,000 from gas-tax proceeds and about $880,000 from the town’s general unreserved fund balance. The council approved “Resolution 20 25-23” on voice vote to move the transfers needed to fund the bridge closeout.
Joe said some of the overrun was driven by required independent engineering oversight and unforeseen conditions encountered during construction. He told residents the town will post an itemized accounting of bridge expenditures and change orders on the town website.
Separately, staff described a final change order (Change Order No. 9) that reconciles outstanding claims and close-out items. Joe said an unresolved contractor/engineer dispute over rebar quantities led to a reduction of the claim and staff recommended paying $42,000 for steel; other minor closeout adjustments increased the total. Council approved the final change order in the amount of $62,978.16, with $15,582.04 already approved earlier. The motion passed by voice vote.
Councilmembers and residents raised questions during public comment about the roughly $500,000 increase above the original contract estimate. Joe explained that approximately $300,000 of that difference reflected independent engineering and compliance costs mandated during construction and that roughly $130,000 related to unforeseen rock and subsurface conditions encountered under the bridge.
The council also approved a separate annual budget housekeeping resolution (authorizing intra-fund transfers to correct over- and under-expended line items as required by state law). The town manager said staff will publish the bridge accounting and related backup materials for public transparency.
The council’s action funds the bridge closeout and resolves the last contract accounting items; the manager said more detailed documents will be posted online and that staff will follow up with residents who asked for an itemized expenditure list.
