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County approves landfill expansion change order after contractor hits unexpected mud layer, staff warn of ~$400,000 shortfall
Summary
Lincoln County commissioners authorized a change order for the landfill expansion after the contractor struck an unforeseen mud layer that prevents reaching engineered depth; engineer recommended capping at the mud layer, reducing usable capacity and creating an estimated funding gap near $400,000 that the county must cover to avoid mobilization or standby charges.
Lincoln County commissioners voted June 18 to approve a change order for the county landfill expansion after core drilling discovered a deep layer of unstable mud that prevents the contractor from reaching the originally engineered depth.
County staff explained the contractor initially planned to cap and line the excavation at the engineered depth, but when excavation hit a gooey mud layer crews were unable to continue using scrapers and moved to heavier equipment. The engineer recommended capping the mud layer and placing the liner on top rather than excavating deeper because the liner could otherwise "float" on the mud and fail.
The remedy reduces usable capacity and requires additional earthwork and stormwater containment work; the county reported it may be roughly $400,000 short of previously allocated funds (grant and ARPA monies). Staff warned that if the commission did not approve the change order the contractor could assess mobilization or standby fees. Commissioners approved the motion to proceed with the change order and to pay the contractor as required to keep the project moving.
Commissioners and staff discussed that change orders are common on site projects and that the county had already exceeded contingency on an earlier item. The board directed staff to identify funding options and follow up.
