Committee approves transfer from UWMWEC electrical project to cover remodeling change orders

The Washington County Public Works Committee approved a 2025 resolution to amend the capital improvement plan and transfer funds from the UWMWEC electrical upgrade project to cover increased costs on the county’s master plan remodeling project.

Scott, speaking to the committee, outlined reasons for the funding request: a significant increase in the card-access and security system scope, unexpected asbestos testing and abatement, approximately 30 change orders to date tied to working in an older building, contaminated soil discovered near the former highway shop area, and additional egress changes required by the State. He said those factors had substantially reduced the original contingency and that the county had about $60,000 remaining in contingency on the remodeling project.

Scott described the proposed funding source: the UWMWEC electrical upgrade project came in well under budget after coordination with the electrical engineer and We Energies, and the project is now anticipated at about $900,000—roughly half the original estimate. "So we're looking at utilizing about 444,000 taken from that 800,000 that's remaining," he said, and added that the transferred funds would come from CIP budgeted money rather than the general fund.

Scott also gave examples of the remodeling costs: "we had a significant increase in the ... amount of cameras and exterior security system ..."; unexpected asbestos discovered "in certain offices" and tile under carpeting; and "we ran into some contaminated soil" outside the parking lot in an area previously used as a highway shop. He said the county planned to keep a building-committee review of change orders and only draw the transferred funds as needed: "if the 445 is not used we're not looking to spend that all on this… it goes right back into the CIP funding."

Supervisor Vespalec moved the resolution and Supervisor Hartwig seconded. The committee called the vote; the tally was recorded in the minutes as three yes votes and one abstention and the motion carried.

The committee did not direct a general-fund transfer; staff said the proposed fund shift would use remaining UWMWEC CIP funds and that any unused amount would revert to CIP.