An additional $50,000 in contingency funds has been added to the budget for Navajo County’s $4.9 million public works complex currently under construction.
The item was summarily approved by the board of supervisors as a consent agenda item Oct. 14. The approval authorizes the public works department to transfer $50,000 from the road maintenance fund to the public works complex fund.
A memo to the board notes that the money is necessary to cover potential “unplanned vendor mobilization charges” related to the sewer and water system for the complex.
“The public works complex has been built to include every alternative that was considered at the design phase, including a sewer lift station and on-site potable water system. The inclusion of these systems has utilized much of the planned contingency funding,” the memo notes. “The lengthy potable water permitting process will require multiple unplanned vendor mobilization charges. The requested change order will add $50,000 to the construction contingency to allow for mobilization charges and other unforeseen minor changes. Any unused contingency funds will be returned to the county at the end of the project.”
Assistant County Manager Homero Vela previously explained that the public works complex would not require any change orders and that the cost would not exceed the $4.9 million already approved for the project. He noted that the contractor, Haydon Construction, had agreed to a “guaranteed maximum” contract. Under the agreement, the total cost cannot exceed $4.9 million, and if it does the contractor must absorb the additional costs.
“It allows the contractor to make more decisions with regards to spending and it stops the problems with change orders. It makes us more partners in this project,” Vela said.
At that time, Navajo County had intended to oversee construction of the water and sewer system, but later assigned that part of the project to Haydon.
Construction is still expected to be complete in November. The new complex includes offices, a large conference room that will serve double-duty as a command center during emergencies, a garage for repairing large equipment and county vehicles, a car wash and fueling areas.
Vela noted that the complex will allow the department to consolidate many of its activities into one area, improving efficiencies. For example, having garages for large equipment and small vehicle repairs side by side will allow staff to shift between jobs quickly as needed. He said that no jobs are being eliminated as a result of the consolidation; they are simply being moved to the new complex.
Construction of the facility has also brought utilities such as water and gas to the site so that surrounding properties may be more easily developed. Vela previously explained that he hopes the easy access to utilities will help the City of Holbrook develop the surrounding vacant land.
