Kokomo Board of Public Works approves bids, sets sewer hearing and OKs conference center change orders

KOKOMO, Ind. — The Kokomo Board of Public Works and Safety on Feb. 11 approved a series of routine and project-specific actions, including authorizing advertising for 2026 tall-grass mowing contracts, awarding a CDBG-funded flooring contract for the Kokomo Rescue Mission, setting a public hearing on Jefferson Street sanitary sewer assessments and approving multiple change orders for the new conference center.

Chelsea, a representative of the City of Kokomo Division of Building and Code Services, told the board that the division "utilizes private contractors each year to mow and maintain privately owned properties as well as city owned sections throughout the city" and asked the board to accept specifications for the 2026 cutting season and to allow the city to advertise for bids to be returned by March 11, 2026. The board approved the request by voice vote.

On a CDBG-funded facility improvement for the Kokomo Rescue Mission (project B25-3.2), the board was told $40,000 had been allocated for removing existing carpeting and installing new LVP flooring in the men's dormitory. One bid was received from Hearne Construction Inc. for $54,231.12. Because the low bid exceeded the allocation, the board approved awarding the contract to Hearne Construction Inc. and transferring $19,500 from fiscal year 2021 CDBG unallocated funds to cover the difference.

The board also approved public notice and set a public hearing for March 4, 2026, on final assessments under Barrett Law Resolution 2025-03 for the Jefferson Street sanitary sewer extension (phase 1). The board was told the project is complete and final payments and assessments have been determined; the engineering department was authorized to send assessment notices.

Regarding the new conference center, the board considered several change order requests from Hagerman, Inc. A package of change orders (numbers 26, 34, 36, 37, 40 and 41) totaling $143,222.48, along with a change-order recommendation dated Dec. 30, 2025, from the owner's representative Veritas Group, was presented; the board approved those change orders. The board separately approved change order number 31 in the amount of $49,554.92. The Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) acknowledged the Veritas Group recommendation, as stated in the meeting record.

Finally, the board approved claims totaling $2,280,390.57 and adjourned.

Votes at a glance
- Approve minutes (Feb. 4): motion moved and seconded; board voted "Aye"; motion carried.
- 2026 tall-grass specs and permission to advertise (bids due 03/11/2026): approved by voice vote.
- Kokomo Rescue Mission facility award to Hearne Construction Inc. ($54,231.12) with additional allocation of $19,500 from FY2021 CDBG unallocated funds: approved by voice vote.
- Barrett Law Resolution 2025-03 public hearing set for Jefferson Street sanitary sewer extension (final assessments): hearing set for 03/04/2026; approved by voice vote.
- Hagerman, Inc. change orders (26, 34, 36, 37, 40, 41) totaling $143,222.48: approved by voice vote.
- Hagerman, Inc. change order 31 ($49,554.92): approved by voice vote.
- Claims in the amount of $2,280,390.57: approved by voice vote.

What happens next: The city will advertise the tall-grass mowing specs with bids due March 11, 2026; the engineering department will send assessment notices for Jefferson Street ahead of the March 4 public hearing; awarded contracts and approved change orders proceed to implementation by the responsible departments and contractors, per the meeting record.