Board approves final change order for 2026 paving project; mayor previews local wheel tax to retain state funding eligibility

The Board of Public Works and Safety approved final change order No. 1 for the city's 2026 paving project with Brooks Construction Company, which reduces the original contract by $30,275.97 from $2,029,014 to a final total of $1,998,738.03 and includes acceptance of a three-year maintenance bond.

"This change order results in a decrease of $30,275.97 from the original contract, cost of $2,029,014," the city engineer reported to the board and noted the project came in under budget. A board member observed a net schedule change of 74 days but said the project moved efficiently and the contractor completed work satisfactorily.

Mayor (chairing the board) said the council will introduce first reading of a local wheel and excise vehicle tax that evening to preserve Auburn's eligibility for additional community crossings funding. The mayor explained the change in state legislation removed the previous ability to "stack" a city tax on top of the county collection; "we have to pay it directly to the city," the mayor said, adding that collecting the tax through the city — rather than relying solely on the county collection — is required for eligibility for certain road funding programs.

The board voted to approve the change order and accept the maintenance bond by voice vote. The approval keeps the paving project closed out with a lower final cost and preserves the three-year bond required by the contract.