Public Works Meeting 11/03/2026

Bonneville County’s weekly Public Works meeting on November 3, 2026, addressed right-of-way and road-project costs. Commissioners approved signing documents for the Fifth West Idaho Canal Bridge project, including an administrative settlement of $12,545 and a stated total of $13,574. They also approved a $5,222.72 change order to move a power box back to the edge of the right-of-way, and approved change order No. 8 for the 49th North Winding project, a $13,225.31 deduction. For the Island Road project, a change order covering landscape fabric and cobble in swales, crosswalk striping, and work on two light poles (described as about $24,000 for the luminaires) was continued to the next Road and Bridge meeting so staff could review the proposed fabric with the downstream user, Jud.

Commissioners raised broader concerns about the frequency and cost of road-project change orders, questioning whether risks are adequately anticipated in bids and whether they receive sufficient explanations before votes. Discussion referenced roughly $800,000 in changes and a $13 million project with about $3 million in change orders, though the transcript does not clearly establish the figures’ precise project attribution. Staff agreed to improve advance explanations and consider presenting change orders for discussion before action; commissioners also discussed seeking training or outside guidance on bidding and change-order standards. Staff reported ongoing work to improve drainage at Lake Iona and outlined possible destinations for material from the upcoming Shiloh project. No vendor selection or new procurement award was clearly identified.