Water & Sewer board approves change orders for Livingston Creek waterline; tree removal, time extension adopted

After recessing into the combined Columbus County Water & Sewer Districts meeting, the board considered change orders to the Livingston Creek waterline extension project under contractor Metcon Incorporated. The board approved: (A) Change Order #1 to address removal of a large pine tree (transcribed cost approximately $3,550), (B) Change Order #2 granting a 69‑day time extension (new completion date Aug. 19, 2026), and (C) an amended project ordinance reflecting the additional cost.

Project staff explained the contractor encountered a dying tree whose roots were damaged by the waterline work and that removal will require careful work because of nearby overhead power lines. Commissioners directed staff to contact the local power company first to determine whether the company would remove the tree at no cost; the motion approved the tree removal contingent on the power company refusing to remove it, otherwise the county would not delay the project.

The board adopted the change orders and the project ordinance as a package with that contingency. Public discussion included why the tree was removed and whether the contractor or the county should bear the cost; staff said the contract accounts for the changes and the amended ordinance reflects the tree‑removal amount.