Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Construction Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission approves $436,000 sponsor contingency for Skyline Ranch well connection amid concerns about homeowner costs
Summary
Facing bids well above engineer estimates, the commission approved 50% of the bid gap plus 5% contingency (total $436,000) to allow Skyline Ranch ISD to award a well-connection contract; sponsors warned residents — many on fixed incomes — could face steep assessments.
The Wyoming Water Development Commission on June 15 approved a sponsor-contingency payment of $436,000 for the Skyline Ranch ISD well connection project after sponsors and the project engineer described bids that exceeded earlier estimates.
Deputy Director Bill Brewer explained the sponsor-contingency mechanism and recommended limiting the office contribution to 20% of the original project in typical cases, but Select Water and the Commission approved a larger contribution in this instance. Select Water initially recommended 50% funding of the bid gap; at the Commission meeting Senator (name recorded as proposing the motion) and others moved to fund 50% of the overage plus a 5% contingency to cover expected change orders, which amounted to $436,000.
Josh Kilpatrick of Nelson Engineering, the district engineer, and community representatives including Jamie Streeter explained the context. Kilpatrick described aging infrastructure and the unique cost pressures in Teton County — low contractor availability and high labor/material costs — noting the original level-two work began in 2020 and that distribution and road repairs could multiply the bill. Jamie Streeter said many Skyline homeowners are long‑term residents and some are elderly or on fixed incomes. Project sponsors estimated that, absent additional grants, the added cost equates to roughly $4,400 annually per residence under a direct repayment scenario.
Commissioners and Select Water members approved the sponsor‑contingency request by voice vote. Bill Brewer said the approval will be formalized via an amendment and that the office will prepare the paperwork for Attorney General review and signature before funds are disbursed and the sponsor can execute the contract.
