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Olive Branch board approves multiple contract change orders, ends local emergency and authorizes FAA grant application
Summary
At its Feb. 17 meeting the city board approved several construction change orders and contracts (including A & B Construction adjustments that raise the public-works contract above $8.8 million), accepted final payment for a gas regulator station, terminated a Jan. 23 local emergency and ratified emergency expenditures, and authorized a no-match FAA grant application up to $250,000.
The Olive Branch board on Feb. 17 approved a series of construction contract change orders and other actions, and voted to terminate the local emergency declared during the January ice storm.
The board approved change order number 8 for A & B Construction — an additive $26,472.34 that increased the contract from $8,783,906.67 to $8,810,379.01 and extended substantial completion by two calendar days (new date stated as April 17, 2026). Staff later presented change order number 9 (additive $3,554.25), which further increased the contract to $8,813,933.26 and added one calendar day (substantial completion April 18, 2026). “We had both a credit on labor material for drywall work. We had additional costs for testing inspection and electrical, adding 2 days in the amount that the mayor mentioned,” Mr. Swinburne said in presenting the change orders, and staff recommended payment for both items. The board approved the measures by voice vote.
Other construction and contract items approved on the consent calendar or by motion included a $3,900 change order to Alexander Construction for additional pickleball-court lighting and a manual switch to limit run time, a $6,011.20 change order to W and T Contracting for Fire Station No. 6 (added wall and relocated entrance), and acceptance of final payment ($18,941.83) for a gas regulator station at Center Hill Road. The board also approved a fixed-fee $63,500 proposal from Civil League for an updated roadway and maintenance plan.
City staff presented and the board approved a proposed order to terminate the local emergency declared Jan. 23, 2026, related to the recent ice storm and to ratify four out-of-ordinary but lawful expenditures made during the emergency, including material removal and lodging for three essential out-of-town employees. “You have the proposed order in your packet, and you’ll see that there were essentially 4 expenditures that were out of the ordinary, that were lawful during the course of the emergency,” Mister Dias said. The board voted to end the emergency and ratify the expenditures.
Because a late competitive opportunity arose under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, staff asked for authorization to submit an FAA grant application to support airport maintenance — a no-match grant opportunity of up to $250,000. Staff said the notice arrived on Thursday and required same-day action; the board approved submitting the application.
Before adjourning regular session the board moved to enter executive session to discuss personnel matters in the police, animal control, ambulance and fire departments.
Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes (Feb. 3, 2026): motion to approve by Miss Hamilton; second by Mr. Collins — carried on voice vote. - Consent agenda (items 1–16): motion by Mr. Collins; second by Mr. Wallace — carried on voice vote. - Change order #8 (A & B Construction): motion by Mr. Collins; second by Mr. Earhart — carried on voice vote. - Change order #9 (A & B Construction): motion by Mr. Dickerson; second by Mr. Wallace — carried on voice vote. - Facility use agreement (Light the Way Ministries, July 3 event): motion by Mr. Earhart; second by Mr. Collins — carried on voice vote. - Change order (Alexander Construction, pickleball lighting): motion moved and seconded — carried on voice vote. - Civil League roadway plan ($63,500): motion by Mr. Collins; second — carried on voice vote. - Change order (W and T Contracting, Fire Station No. 6): motion by Mr. Earhart; second Miss Hamilton — carried on voice vote. - Final payment acceptance (gas regulator station): motion by Mr. Collins; second by Mr. Dickerson — carried on voice vote. - Terminate local emergency and ratify expenditures: motion by Mr. Wallace; second by Mr. Gamage — carried on voice vote. - IIJA (FAA) grant application authorization: motion by Mr. Collins; second by Mr. Wallace — carried on voice vote.
The board then left regular session for executive session on personnel matters.
