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Board tables $330,000+ change‑order request for Catalyst wastewater design, approves $13.4M construction contract and seeks bond counsel
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Summary
After a lengthy debate over compressed grant timelines and undocumented design changes, the board tabled a consultant change‑order request (originally ~ $545k, later reduced) and approved the construction contract to Musik Construction for $13,398,888; commissioners authorized staff to consult bond counsel about borrowing options to fund remaining work.
The Suwannee County Board of County Commissioners on March 17 tabled a contested design change‑order request for the Catalyst Industrial Park wastewater treatment plant and separately approved the construction contract needed to keep the project moving toward an August grant deadline.
Design and engineering teams told the board accelerated grant deadlines forced parallel design and procurement work that increased staff time and scope. Kevin Conoy, vice president at Barge Design Solutions, and other consultants described multiple schedule compressions — the project’s completion timetable was reduced by months — and said the firms revised plans, procured long‑lead items and rebid packages to cut previously high contractor estimates. Conoy said after rework and rebidding the construction low bid for the plant itself was roughly $13 million; when combined with other project elements the total had grown toward the low‑to‑mid $20‑million range.
Contractor and consultant bills for that extra work initially totaled roughly $545,000, according to materials presented to the board; consultants later reduced their claim to about $330,000 during negotiations. Commissioner Lane and members of the public pressed for documentation, hours, and prior written approvals before the work was done, arguing the county’s change‑order policy requires advance notice. A public commenter with decades of construction experience said, “If I walked into the CEO’s office and said I got a $330,000 change order, I probably would have gotten fired,” urging the board to review the contract language.
County legal counsel warned that, even where written change orders were not processed, a contractor could have a claim under quantum meruit — a legal doctrine that permits recovery for work the county accepted — if the county knowingly received the benefit. Morrison advised caution about outright denial and recommended negotiation.
After extended discussion, including multiple commissioner proposals for compromise, the board voted to table the change‑order item and asked the firms to return with a detailed written breakdown of hours and substantiation so the board could review the request at a future meeting.
Separately, to avoid losing grant funding and to keep construction on schedule, the board approved awarding the construction contract (ITB 2026‑03) for the Catalyst wastewater treatment plant to Musik Construction for $13,398,888 (motion by Commissioner Land; motion carried 5–0). Commissioners also authorized staff and the county attorney to consult bond counsel to evaluate borrowing options to cover remaining funding needs; counsel recommended engaging a municipal bond attorney to explore low‑interest municipal financing and structuring options.
The board additionally approved payments to bring power and infrastructure to the Catalyst site (Suwannee Valley Electric invoice for $75,800; FP&L invoice $14,826.89) and authorized a $50,000 top‑up for counsel’s escrow account used in right‑of‑way and land transactions.
Next steps: staff will provide a detailed billed‑hours and cost breakdown to the BOCC for the change‑order request, and consultants and counsel will return with options for dispute resolution and a proposal from bond counsel on financing scenarios.
