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Committee approves most treatment-plant change orders but rejects electrical-panel price request
Summary
The fiscal oversight committee approved several construction change orders for the new treatment plant—credits for a generator and small adjustments for drainage and wiring—but declined to forward an $8,500 electrical-panel supplier-cost request (change order #3) to the full board after finding it had been executed without prior approval.
District staff and the construction manager updated the committee on several change orders tied to the new treatment plant, including a credit related to the generator, as-built drainage adjustments, and an electrical-panel modification required after the plant manufacturer revised control-panel specifications.
Staff said the generator credit arose because the supplied unit fit the existing concrete pad, avoiding replacement. They also described a drainage connection change discovered in the as-built pipe that required different fittings. On the electrical-panel issue, the electrical subcontractor changed suppliers to obtain parts in time for the project schedule; staff said the decision preserved the timeline but increased cost.
Committee members pressed staff and the contractor on timing and authorization. One director said the contractor “took a risk in making these changes” to preserve schedule but emphasized the contract does not permit unilateral changes without approval. Another director said bluntly that the problem began when communication stopped short of the committee. After debate, the committee agreed to move change orders 1, 2 and 4 to the full board for approval but not to advance change order 3. One member summarized the committee's view: “So, that's the majority difference… It's two to one.”
Staff and the contractor said the plant remains on track for startup assuming the electric utility completes service connection; temporary power provisions would be used if necessary. The committee requested clearer, earlier notice of supplier/lead-time risks and follow-up documentation if the contractor seeks later reconsideration of the electrical request.
