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Charlotte County denies Rotunda Circle milling change order after residents push for milling
Summary
The county rejected a nearly $556,000 MSBU change order to mill Rotunda Circle and instead kept an overlay approach after engineers told commissioners milling could weaken the pavement structure and concerns about fairness to other MSBUs were raised. The vote was 5‑0 to deny the change order.
Commissioners denied a proposed change order to add milling to the Rotunda Circle resurfacing project, rejecting a roughly $555,932 request from the Rotunda West Street and Drainage MSBU on Jan. 27.
Public Works Director John Elias explained staff and a third‑party engineering firm tested cores and concluded the existing pavement would not benefit structurally from milling in this location; he said a simple overlay would produce a stronger roadway in the absence of deeper roadway deficiencies. Rotunda residents who testified told the board the circle receives heavy traffic and urged milling to avoid driveway elevation problems and to match nearby boulevards that were milled and overlaid.
Commissioners split over engineering benefit and fairness: Commissioner Deutsch and others said residents who pay into the MSBU should be able to choose milling, while Commissioner Doherty and County engineers argued the record shows no structural benefit from milling and questioned whether spending MSBU funds now could leave the area short for future needs such as bridge work. Commissioner Doherty moved to deny the change order; the motion passed 5‑0.
The board’s denial preserves the original resurfacing approach for now; staff said some driveway adjustments may still be needed even with milling, and fiscal staff had confirmed current MSBU funds could absorb the cost if the board chose to approve a change order. Public Works will return with any revised proposals or contract amendments if necessary.
The denial means the contractor will not be authorized to add the milling scope under this change order and the paving project will proceed as previously programmed unless the MSBU or board later directs otherwise.
