At the last Carroll City Council meeting a change order on the library project was brought forward that ended up creating a discussion for council members in the interest of transparency. City Manager, Mike Pogge-Weaver, detailed what was included in the slightly more than $30,000 order.
Council member, Mike Kots, did say he had some concerns with one item on this change order being included as a part of the library project.
The inclusion of this expense on the change order, according to Pogge-Weaver, is up to the discretion of the council.
LaVern Dirkx and Misty Boes agreed with Kots and Dirkx asked about other funding sources for the doors. Pogge-Weaver says it can come from the general fund or Local Option Sales Tax (L.O.S.T.) through a budget amendment. Jerry Fleshner wanted clarity on whether or not this relates to the library project at all, to which the reply was no. Carolyn Siemann says she wants to be as transparent as possible with the public on the payment of this bill. Kots stressed again he did not like the idea of giving the impression that they are doing work simply because there is money in the budget. The board did vote unanimously to remove that item from the change order, now $14,246, and determine a funding source at a later date. This change order does go over their planned contingency. Pogge-Weaver says they saved in other areas and that will help cover this overage.
Pogge-Weaver says there are a few items outstanding and this will not be the last change order for the project.
