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Commissioners approve several change orders; DNR permitting prompts additional water-utility work

St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners · January 7, 2026

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Summary

The board approved change orders including a $130,359.48 added-work change with Reith Riley, a Milestone Contractors change order with an unclear transcripted amount, and a $34,342.52 change related to DNR-required grade work on an SJEC water transmission project.

The board approved multiple construction change orders affecting county road and utility projects.

For a resurfacing and rehabilitation contract in the IEC area, staff presented Change Order No. 1 with Reith Riley Construction to cover added paving work funded from available local I&C monies; the amount stated in the transcript was $130,359.48 and the board approved the change order by voice vote.

A second change order with Milestone Contractors for Pierce Road reconstruction was presented to cover unforeseen conditions and additional material usage. Staff said the contract amount moved upward and requested approval. The numeric amount as spoken in the transcript is unclear (transcript recording contains garbled numerals); the board approved the change order by voice vote. The transcript lists an unclear figure that staff read aloud; staff should be asked to confirm the exact dollar amount in the official change-order documentation.

Finally, the board approved Change Order No. 9 with HRP Construction for the SJEC water-transmission and Fillmore Road utilities project in the IEC area. Staff stated the amount as $34,342.52 and explained the work was required after DNR permitting mandated grade changes that affected valve locations; staff described the change as reestablishing valves and valve markers due to permitting-driven grade adjustments. One commissioner questioned why the DNR requirement resulted in county/contractor costs.

All three change orders were approved by voice vote. The board did not record additional conditions or direct staff to seek reimbursement from permitting agencies during this meeting.