Project team weighs higher contingency if well drilling exceeds 300 feet

A motion to approve an agenda item was made and seconded early in the meeting, but participants spent most of the session discussing contingencies for on‑site well drilling and related equipment costs.

Project participants reviewed two written drilling estimates—one assuming a 300‑foot bore and another projecting costs if crews must drill to 400 feet. Speakers noted an existing nearby well that reached just under 500 feet and produced higher flow, underscoring uncertainty about final depth on some lots. The group agreed that if a driller must go deeper than the initially anticipated depth, the contractor will return with an added charge rather than attempting to remove and re‑rig the hole without authorization.

The team also discussed equipment implications: drilling beyond the base depth could require switching from a standard pump to a three‑phase variable pump, which raises the hardware cost. Participants reviewed line items—casing, permit fees, well cap and separate drilling labor—and arrived at a working total of roughly $16,700 for a deeper scenario, while noting additional allowance would be prudent.

One participant recommended rounding the approved amount upward as a contingency; the group discussed rounding to $17,000 or $20,000 to avoid repeated approvals if the driller needed to go deeper while on site. No formal vote tally or final dollar figure was recorded in the transcript.

The discussion closed with staff noting they would coordinate with the driller (Duffford) on RFIs and that any confirmed specification or cost update would be folded into the project estimates and returned to the team for final authorization.