Brown County commissioners approve CDBG contract extension after elevator equipment delays

Brown County commissioners voted at their meeting to approve Amendment Request No. 2, formally allowing the county to request a time extension for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)‑funded building project after supplier and elevator equipment delays.

The county heard from Brett Wagner, the grant administrator working on the CDBG portion of the project, who said the federal program administered through HUD and the state imposes a two‑year time limit on projects but allows extensions when there is a documented reason. "They put a 2 year time limit on all their projects," Wagner said, adding that extensions are allowed "if you have a good reason for an extension." He told commissioners the project is behind schedule because of equipment availability and changes to the elevator specification.

Why it matters: CDBG grants are federal funds administered by the state; if a county does not pursue an approved extension it risks missing grant deadlines that can delay or end state and federal support for construction. Wagner said the county must pass a commission motion because the contract is between the county and the state and the county's action is required before the state will process an extension request.

Commissioners asked whether the county or the general contractor (identified in packet materials as AHRS) had timely notified the county about delays and whether contractor submittals and contract schedule language had been followed. A commissioner emphasized the importance of early written notices from contractors when suppliers or design changes cause delays so the county can document reasons in a formal extension request. Another commissioner offered to help draft or support a letter to the contractor to show an accelerated corrective schedule if needed.

The motion to accept Amendment Request No. 2 — described in the meeting materials as moving the project completion date to December 31 in the amendment — was moved, seconded and carried by voice vote. The board recorded the motion as "moved and seconded" and, after a call for discussion, heard two "Aye" responses before the chair announced the motion carried.

Wagner said he would provide ongoing status updates: "I'll shoot an email to Nikki and just let her know after our monthly progress meetings... This is where we're at," he said, offering a schedule check-in cadence so the county can monitor progress before submitting the extension request to the state.

The board did not adopt additional contractual penalties or change the contract in open session; commissioners instructed staff to file the extension request with the state CDBG administrator and to keep the commission informed of schedule changes and any future need for additional action.

Votes at a glance: Amendment Request No. 2 (CDBG contract extension) — motion moved and seconded; all present voted aye; outcome: motion carried.

The county will submit the formal extension request to the state CDBG administrator and staff will provide monthly progress updates to the commission.