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Orting council to consider delegating low‑value Kansas Street change orders to mayor, city administrator
Summary
Council discussed a limited pilot resolution allowing the mayor or city administrator to approve change orders under $50,000 for the Kansas Street reconstruction project and agreed to place the measure as a standalone item on the April 8 agenda after questions about contingency reporting and oversight.
Orting City Council members discussed a proposed, project‑specific resolution that would let the mayor or the city administrator approve or reject construction change orders under $50,000 for the Kansas Street reconstruction project, provided any approvals remain within the council‑authorized contingency.
"The proposed resolution is limited ... and delegates authority to the mayor and or city administrator to manage and approve or reject change orders provided that they are still within the contingency amount previously authorized and approved by the council," said Mark, the city administrator, explaining the pilot proposal and why staff favors faster on‑site decisions to avoid delays and additional costs. He said the mayor has already used this authority to reject an informal request after the Buy America issue and that the pilot aims to demonstrate conservative stewardship of contingency funds.
Council members split on the plan. Council member Williams said the council has a duty to retain oversight: "I think it is the duty of the council ... I have no problem with a special meeting if there's an emergency. I think it should stay the way it is." Council member Tracy pressed staff on how the council would be informed about change orders and on contingency tracking: "So the only time we're gonna see a change order is if it's over $50,000?" Mark and other staff committed to regular updates and to showing remaining contingency balances to the council.
Other members supported the limited pilot as a way to keep the project moving. Council member Hogan said he was "comfortable" with the mayor and city administrator managing routine decisions so long as finance provides monthly updates. Deputy Mayor Sprowl suggested guardrails used elsewhere—such as allowing executive approval only up to 80% of contingency—could be considered to preserve a council check before funds are exhausted.
After discussion the council agreed to schedule the resolution as a standalone item for the council meeting on April 8 so members could continue debate and consider a vote with any proposed guardrails or reporting language.
Next step: the item will appear as a standalone agenda item on April 8 for formal consideration and possible action.
