Parish meeting approves about $80,442 in change orders for Kentwood High drainage project

Tangipahoa Parish officials approved a set of engineer-recommended change orders for the Kentwood High School drainage project that staff said total about $80,442 in additions to an original contract of around $600,000.

The staff member presenting the item told the board the change requests — numbered roughly 1 through 38 in the project file — arose from several causes, including pumping excess water to locate a leak, additional rain days and encountering old structural material. "I think it came up to around $80,000 $80,442 with the original was right around $600,000," the staff member said. A committee member who moved the motion said, "The vast majority of these change orders came in way after the project was even over. They just piled it on at the end trying to recoup."

Board members pressed staff about liquidated damages and payment timing. Staff said the contractor currently faces roughly 34 days of liquidated damages and that retainage on the contract remains held. Several members recommended seeking a full settlement and not releasing payment until both sides agree on the final figures. One member clarified that the action approved by the board was acceptance of the engineer's recommended change orders and did not itself set a payment schedule.

The motion to adopt administration recommendations was made by "Mister Toler" and seconded by "Mister Anthony." The board voted by roll call and the motion passed with all members voting yes. The board did not approve payment timing during the meeting; staff said payment mechanics (including any deductions for liquidated damages) would be finalized in settlement discussions.