Commissioners ratify juvenile change order, approve procurement awards and a budget amendment (4–1)

Guadalupe County’s Commissioners Court advanced several procurement and budget items during its Aug. 5 meeting, including ratifying a construction change order, awarding a public works contract and approving a budget amendment to fund equipment purchases.

Juvenile Chief Nick Reiniger described a small Change Order No.1 for the Juvenile Medical Bay project after crews encountered saturated sanitary lines that required additional tie‑in work and concrete removal. The auditor executed a sub‑$10,000 budget amendment to allow immediate work and the court ratified the change order from KW Construction Inc.

In procurement, the county received three bids for IFB 25‑25 (corrugated pipe, concrete pipe and concrete box culverts). One bidder was deemed non‑responsive for quoting freight as an add‑on contrary to bidding instructions; the court awarded the contract to KOP Construction Supply as the lowest responsive bidder.

On a budget amendment (25‑77) brought by county budget staff, the court approved a transfer of funds to controlled assets and capital equipment to upfit a UTV (funded by Homeland Security grant funds) and to purchase two wireless headset systems for Engine 71 and Engine 72. Staff explained vendor selection (Ranch Armor for the UTV upfit; Sittins Martin for headsets) and operational benefits for firefighter communication and hands‑free pump operation. The court approved the amendment by a recorded voice vote; the clerk recorded four yeas and one nay, with the presiding Judge stating he was opposed.