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Commissioners approve final change order for solids-handling project after debate over cumulative change orders
Summary
The council approved final change order No. 6 with Swank Enterprises for a $4.4M ARPA-funded solids-handling and dewatering project. Commissioners questioned $633,000 in change orders on the contract and sought process improvements, while public-works staff said the county requested and funded the additions from ARPA.
Commissioners on Aug. 5 placed on file final change order No. 6 with Swank Enterprises for the solids handling and dewatering improvements project. Commissioner Fisher raised concerns that the project had $633,000 in change orders on an original $4.4 million base bid — a percentage he described as too high — and urged a review of bidding and contracting procedures.
Director Neri responded that the work was ARPA-funded and the change orders represented county-requested improvements that made the project better; he said ratepayers at the Metro Sewer plant were not charged and the state did not require returning the funds. The council moved to concur and place the communication on file; the clerk recorded a unanimous 12–0 vote.
The exchange highlighted a recurring commissioner focus on cumulative change orders and procurement oversight; staff acknowledged the concern and said they would continue to refine processes and justify additions in the project record.
