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Commissioners approve change order for landfill expansion after crews hit unexpected mud layer
Summary
County commissioners approved a change order for the landfill expansion after construction crews encountered a deep mud layer; staff warned the project could be roughly $400,000 short of previously identified funding and recommended capping the excavation to install the liner, which reduces usable capacity.
County staff told commissioners on June 18 that core drilling for the landfill expansion did not reveal a deep mud layer that crews encountered while excavating. Contractors initially used scrapers and later a tracked excavator and dump trucks; the engineer recommended capping at the discovered depth because the mud could cause the liner to "float" and fail.
Staff said the change order substantial and estimated the county would be close to $400,000 short of available grant and ARPA funds to complete the expansion as designed. If the county did not approve the change order, the contractor could apply mobilization and standby fees. Commissioners moved and approved the change order so the project could proceed and avoid additional costs.
County staff warned the design change will cost usable capacity ("we lose a year or two of use on the expansion") but said it was the safest option given the ground conditions. Commissioners and staff said they would need to identify additional funding sources to cover the gap.
What happens next: the county will execute the approved change order, proceed with capping per the engineer's recommendation, and staff will return with options for covering the funding shortfall.
