Committee advances NW Drainage pay request and forwards change order despite objections

The City of Virden Public Works Committee voted May 21 to send Pay Application #2 for the NW Drainage Bypass Project to the City Council and to recommend consideration of Change Order #1, which seeks an additional $42,012.

Bill Sleeman of Benton & Associates told the committee the change-order increase was "mostly due to state delay in authorizing the additional $200,000 and the war with Iran," and that the $5,460 rise for fuel was a one‑time item. Sleeman reported the project is about 56% complete and said there were no major issues with ongoing work. Mayor George Murphy moved, and Alderperson Carter seconded, forwarding the $294,605.10 pay application to Council, with line items 23 and 26 to be subtracted from the requested amount if the change order fails to pass.

Some committee members privately questioned the timing and basis for the change order. Alderman Bertolino and Alderperson Boster challenged the increase during discussion and were told the contractor could pursue legal action to recover additional funds if the change order were denied. The committee recorded a split vote on the change order recommendation; the pay application motion passed with all voting in favor when forwarded to Council.