Council approves $31,269 change order for Well 4 rehabilitation; funded from water utility reserves

Interim city administrator Justin Barren sought council approval for change orders on the Wells 2 and 4 rehabilitation contract after well 4 was pulled and found to be in considerably worse condition than anticipated. Photos included in the memorandum showed rust, corrosion and two holes in piping that likely caused the well’s loss of suction. The initial contingency for replacements was $17,170; the presented change order raised the total to $31,269.

Barren said the work is necessary and that the expense will be covered from water utility reserves; the planned SCADA system upgrade ($215,000 previously planned from reserves) will be deferred into the next budget/borrow cycle so reserves can cover the work. The council approved the change order by roll-call vote (10–0). “I have never seen a well this bad before,” Barren said when explaining the added replacements and corrosion found during the pull. The approved motion authorizes the contractor Municipal Well and Pump to proceed under the revised change order.