City staff informed the College Place City Council on Jan. 13 that higher electricity prices and additional sampling requirements produced an overrun in Jacobs' contract for operation of the city's wastewater treatment plant. The council authorized payment of $80,996.32 to Jacobs to cover the overage.

Public works staff said the plant's energy usage had actually fallen (a Jacobs representative said "electrical usage was down about 1000 kilowatt hours per month"), but power costs rose; staff also noted additional sampling required by state regulations contributed to the overrun. Mr. McAndrew told the council the city expects a reconciliation rebate of about $50,000 from Jacobs, which would reduce the net impact to approximately $30,000.

Council member Peterson moved to authorize payment to Jacobs in the amount of $80,996.32 for costs that exceeded the original budget for electricity and sampling; Council member Sherman seconded and the motion passed by voice vote. Staff reported that finance director Brian has been made aware and that sewer reserves will be used to cover the payment.

Next steps: Jacobs will complete reconciliation and staff will report any final rebate or adjustments; sewer reserves were identified as the funding source pending reconciliation.