Board approves change order and extra funding for Middle Basin wastewater project and a $4.43M HDR addendum

The Johnson County Board of County Commissioners voted April 9 to authorize additional funding and change orders for the Middle Basin wastewater treatment facility after staff reported a critical mechanical failure.

Susan Pekarek, director of Johnson County Wastewater, told the board that a wet‑weather influent coarse bar screen installed in 1987 had failed and was beyond repair. To avoid delays and protect downstream equipment during rain events, staff recommended replacing the wet‑weather screen within the current construction contract rather than creating a separate project. Pekarek requested $531,800 in additional funding (partially offset by $500,000 of existing contingency), a construction change order not to exceed $832,055 to Crossland Heavy Contractors, and an engineering contract addendum not to exceed $190,598 with Corolla Engineers Inc. For this project only, staff also asked to temporarily raise the combined change order contingency threshold to 15% of the base contract and allow the wastewater general manager to execute individual change orders up to $250,000.

"This will be the quickest and most efficient way to get the new screen installed and ensure that we can protect downstream equipment during wet weather," Pekarek said.

Commissioners discussed timing and the rationale for the project‑specific contingency increase; Commissioner Brewer offered language clarifying that the expanded delegation and 15% threshold apply "as related to this project." Legal counsel confirmed the amendment. The board approved resolution WD26009 and the requested authorities by roll call, 7‑0.

Separately, the board authorized the fifth and final contract addendum with HDR Engineering for Johnson County’s integrated wastewater planning program. Tammy Lorenzen highlighted program accomplishments — KPI dashboards, targeted inflow and infiltration removal programs, and hydraulic modeling that identified an estimated $280 million in cost savings relative to prior plans. The board approved the $4,425,548 addendum by roll call, 7‑0.

Both actions fund work within the wastewater capital improvement fund; staff said the Middle Basin request was included in the fiscal year 2026 capital financing model and that the change order threshold adjustment is limited to the specified project.