County awards $2.73 million contract for 2026 pavement overlay; director authorized to approve limited change orders

Cowlitz County commissioners approved a $2,732,633 bid award to Lakeside Industries for the countywide 2026 pavement overlay program.

Public works staff said they opened bids in early April and received two proposals. The recommended award to Lakeside includes an authorization allowing the director of public services to approve change orders up to 10% and capped at $25,000 to accommodate asphalt-price adjustments. "The way this contract is written, it allows for that change both up and down," a county presenter said, noting the state posts asphalt price adjustments regularly.

Staff said the county scaled back the project from an earlier, larger scope after asphalt prices spiked; the county budgeted about $3 million for overlay work and the Lakeside bid is expected to remain within that figure depending on the adjustment. A commissioner moved approval and the board carried the motion by voice vote.

The awarded contract includes routine procurement protections and a contingency mechanism to limit the need to return to the board for small price adjustments.