LaPorte County board approves $766,078 in pay applications, accepts two contract deductions for Hudson–Saguenay work

The LaPorte County Regional Sewer and Water District Board voted May 26 to approve two contractor pay applications and accept two net deduct change orders for the Hudson–Saguenay construction project.

Pay application number 10 for Contract A, in the amount of $322,234.26, and pay application number 8 for Contract B, in the amount of $443,843.83, were presented by the district’s presenter and approved after motions and seconding by board members. The board also approved change order number 5 for Contract A, a net deduct of $95,722.06, and change order number 8 for Contract B, a net deduct of $16,885.25. The motions carried with the board’s recorded voice vote (“Ayes have it”).

The approvals come as the project is between roughly 60% and 76% complete across multiple contracts: Contract A is about 76% of pipe installed and Contract B about 65%, the presenter reported. Construction items accounting for the Contract A deduction include adding seven additional force‑main tracer towers (to improve winter locating at 1,500‑foot spacing), reinstating an 18‑inch drain‑tile repair, and reducing an exploratory‑digging allowance originally budgeted for railroad work. The Contract B change order reflects adjustments to grinder‑station layouts and the removal of one grinder station from installation because an easement was unsigned; that unit will be retained as a spare for the district.

District staff explained that some additional pavement replacement was required after exploratory digging encountered subsurface material, and that those replacement costs were covered by the change order deduct. The presenter also noted that construction contingency and variance funds remain (a reported remaining balance of roughly $395,000) and that contractors have submitted pay applications consistent with the board’s prior review.

Board financial reporting presented earlier in the meeting showed operating and construction‑fund balances and noted SRF (state revolving loan fund) bond proceeds received for the project; claims for the month were also approved.

Next steps for the project include continued construction oversight, an anticipated upcoming jack‑and‑bore change order, and routine coordination between district staff and contractors on outstanding items such as generator contracts and flow‑meter repairs. The board did not revise the project scope during the meeting; further funding and phase‑two timing remain subject to future discussions.