Commissioners approve $277,500 change order to cover base stone on highway project; funding shift, not new appropriation

Commissioners approved change order No. 1 for a highway project that increases the contract by $277,500.72 to cover base stone the county originally planned to supply in‑kind but could not deliver in a timely way.

Clerk read the change‑order language: the county had committed to furnishing base stone via county trucks; seasonal paving operations prevented timely delivery, so the county will now fund the required stone delivery ($277,500.72), raising the contract from $4.8 million to $5,077,500.72.

Members of the public and several commissioners asked why the full amount was being transferred now when about $181,000 had already been paid on the claim and whether the board should transfer only the outstanding balance. Staff explained that accounting rules require funds be available in the correct account before payment; the amount is being moved from paving to non‑paving internal funds and later reconciled. Commissioners discussed whether reappropriation would be necessary later; staff said some paving miles would be deferred (each commissioner ‘sacrificing’ about one mile) to balance the current funds and avoid an immediate reappropriation.

Public commenters asked whether the county will receive credits for scope reductions (questions about building length and stem walls), and whether use of land exchanges or addenda had been handled correctly; staff replied those items are separate addenda or contract matters and would be handled through the proper contract amendments.

The motion to approve the change order passed on a voice vote with at least one commissioner opposed; staff will provide line item documentation for the board and public when available.