County approves McKinley project electrical upgrade, septic replacement and soil stabilization change orders
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Summary
Boone County administration approved an electrical service upgrade, a new septic tank and additional soil stabilization work at the McKinley Avenue construction site after staff reported site conflicts and underground utility uncertainties.
The Boone County administration committee on July 10 approved three construction change orders for the McKinley Avenue project: an electrical service relocation and panel upgrade, replacement of a failing septic tank, and soil stabilization work to protect the existing courthouse foundation.
Why it matters: the McKinley project is part of the county’s broader capital program for courthouse and related campus work; these changes reflect site conditions discovered during excavation and are intended to avoid costly delays and protect existing buildings.
What the committee approved
- Electrical service upgrade (Change Order #12): County staff explained the morgue and coroner facilities share a 200‑amp service (100‑amp each), which is insufficient for the morgue’s equipment. Randy Darnell of CCS told the committee the design must be adjusted and the incoming service location moved; the change order is a not‑to‑exceed amount and staff expects some savings on final pricing. The committee approved the change order by voice vote.
- Septic tank replacement (Proposal: Spain Construction, $10,815): Staff said three septic tanks serve the campus; one tank under the planned garage footprint was aging and in uncertain condition and its leach field extended eastward. Changing the garage location would have required additional moves and costs; staff recommended replacing the single tank and relocating it away from the new garage footprint. The committee approved the proposal.
- Soil stabilization (ECO 28.3, Schedul’d Construction, $23,989): During excavation for a new addition, contractors discovered the existing 1986 courthouse foundation tied in only about a foot below a key interface point; digging deeper created a soil-stability risk for the existing foundation. The approved stabilization work will protect the original courthouse foundation; staff reviewed alternatives (underpinning, sheet piling) and described the stabilization as the most practical solution.
Fiscal context: project managers said the county has spent roughly $4 million of an anticipated $22 million total program so far. A prior capital item (DVR camera project) was quoted at $281,000 and came in at $230,000, producing some savings the sheriff noted had allowed additional camera purchases.
Ending: County staff said the McKinley work will keep construction moving and protect existing facilities; staff will return with any necessary contract adjustments and final invoices as work completes.