Commissioners approve $50,154 Oak Ridge change order for temporary safety barriers

County staff asked the Parker County Commissioners Court to approve a $50,154 change order for the Oak Ridge construction project to install temporary water-filled traffic barriers and other safety improvements around utility poles located close to the roadway.

"That ends up being a change order in the amount of $50,154," said Dustin, the project staff member presenting the request. He told the court the county expects the barriers to remain on-site for about two to three months until utility poles can be relocated, and that once removed the county will retain the water-filled units for future use.

Commissioners pressed staff on whether the utility company, Encore, could be required to move poles sooner or be responsible for the cost. "Any recourse to go back to Encore on this at all?" the presiding officer asked, and staff replied that Encore's relocation has been delayed, in part by recent storms, and legal recourse would risk delaying construction and reducing safety.

Commissioners discussed cost-saving options, including renting barricades from other precincts so the county could reduce the net new purchase required. Commissioner Hall moved to approve the change order subject to reducing the amount by any units the county can rent from other precincts; Commissioner Walden seconded. The motion carried 5-0.

The court recorded no additional conditions; staff said they would report back on availability and any potential recovery from Encore before finalizing expenditures.