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Washington County boards approve four change orders for new PK–12 school; managers to seek authority for future $100,000 change orders
Summary
At a Sept. 26 joint meeting, Washington County commissioners and the School Board approved four change orders for the new PK–12 school and agreed to prepare resolutions authorizing the county manager and superintendent to approve future change orders up to $100,000 when budgeted from contingency funds.
WASHINGTON COUNTY, N.C. — Washington County commissioners and the Washington County School Board met Sept. 26 in Creswell to review progress on the new PK–12 school, approve four change orders and agree to pursue expanded administrative authority for future change orders.
County Manager and County Attorney Curtis Potter opened the construction update and introduced Metcon Project Executive Mike Konieczka, who said the contractor “plans to be under roof by end of the year.” Potter told both boards that four change orders had arisen for items that were not included in the project’s Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP). He said a low-voltage scope was moved back into Phase I to address that issue.
Potter also briefed the boards on state funding: he said the state budget had passed and was awaiting the governor’s approval, but Washington County did not receive a direct appropriation; a third round of funding will be opened by the state. Potter said he and School Superintendent Dr. White intend to seek board authorizations to speed approvals for smaller, budgeted change orders moving forward.
Potter summarized an email proposal that would raise the existing administrative change-order approval limit from $30,000 to $100,000 for the county manager and the superintendent, so long as the amount is budgeted within county allowances or contingency funds. Potter said the increase is intended to prevent project slowdowns that can occur when small items must wait for two separate board meetings.
Board of Education Member Cherry moved to approve the current change orders. Commissioner Ann C. Keyes seconded the motion; commissioners voted unanimously to approve. Following that vote, both boards agreed to draft and later adopt resolutions authorizing Potter and Dr. White to approve future change orders up to $100,000 when the work is covered by contingency or other budgeted allowances.
Potter and Dr. White reported they are continuing to work on a formal funding agreement for the project. Commissioner Keyes moved to adjourn the commissioners’ meeting; Commissioner Tracey A. Johnson seconded, and the board adjourned by unanimous vote.
The boards did not provide roll-call vote tallies beyond noting unanimous approval where recorded. Details about the four individual change orders (scope descriptions and dollar amounts) were not specified in the meeting record and will be provided when formal paperwork or subsequent minutes are released.
