County approves $329,593 change order for water-storage tank at new judicial building

San Patricio County commissioners on July 20 approved a $329,593.15 contract change order and time extension to add a water-storage tank behind the county's new judicial building to supplement emergency fire protection.

County Engineer John A. Hernandez and project staff said the tank is a supplemental measure to reduce reliance on municipal water pressure during a major fire. Project staff explained the tank will pump into the building's fire pump room, include a fire-department hook-up on the back side, and is intended to keep sprinklers running for roughly 90 minutes if the fire department does not draw from it. "This is a supplemental tank... Hydrants were dry," a project presenter said, urging that the installation act as an ‘‘insurance policy.’’

Commissioners asked for clarification on tank size, placement and funding. Staff noted the tank's capacity and siting are in the project documents and that capital-improvements funds are set aside to cover the change order. The court voted to approve the change order unanimously and directed staff to proceed with the planned installation and necessary service access.

The approval followed discussion about pump hookups, a beautification wall around the tank and the project's role as a backup if the municipal system is unstable. The court recorded that the change order includes both the additional cost of $329,593.15 and a contract time extension; the judge said staff will follow standard procurement reporting and document any warranty or manufacturer guarantees linked to installed components.