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River Ridge Board ratifies $150,786 change order after supervisors raise budget concerns
Summary
The River Ridge CDD ratified a $150,786.09 change order for Phase I/II stormwater projects; one supervisor called the approval fiscally irresponsible while engineers said the changes were necessary to eliminate standing water.
The River Ridge Community Development District board ratified a $150,786.09 change order for MRI Construction’s Phase I and Phase II stormwater management work on January 28, 2025, after engineers said field conditions required relocating inlets and other adjustments.
During discussion, Supervisor Terry Mountford criticized the decision-making process, saying the CDD was already “$300,000+ over budget for this type of project” and that approving an additional $150,786.09 without holding a special meeting “is not being fiscally responsible.” District Engineer Charlie Krebs and PSGRC General Manager Eric Long said the changes followed site tours with homeowners and were necessary to produce a working outcome. Krebs told the Board that “the end result is a product that will function and meet the expectations for eliminating the standing water.”
Kurt Blumenthal urged context, noting that projects delayed from Fiscal Year 2024 carried loan funds into FY2025 and that timing—not an overspend—explained the accounting. The Board directed District Counsel Tony Pires to draft operating ground rules for future situations that require unplanned contract adjustments and to consider a contingency threshold or special-meeting requirement for projects over a set amount.
On motion by Kurt Blumenthal, seconded by Keith Merrill, the Board ratified MRI Construction, Inc. Change Order Estimate #500 for Price Changes of Phase I and Phase II Stormwater Management Projects in the amount of $150,786.09; the motion passed "with all in favor." The Board did not record a roll-call tally beyond the unanimous outcome.
The ratification followed roughly 20 minutes of technical discussion and taxpayer concern; staff said further policy language will be drafted for future approvals.
