JARRETT GOODMAN
Staff Writer
A change order pertaining to the expansion of the county airport’s taxiway has recently passed by the County Commission during its September.
According to Mayor David Jackson, both the county airport and finance committees met the previous week to discuss a change order regarding the taxiway expansion project for the Marion County Airport. The project was last mentioned during the commission’s January meeting, where Global Infrastructure Inc. $865,536.50 bid was approved for the taxiway’s construction. The expansion of the taxiway would also allow for new hangars to be constructed, with additional funds from the state helping to further support the project.
Mayor Jackson stated that the change order revolves around $327,000, with funds to be taken out from the original bid approved . As the discussion continued, he noted how both committees had questions regarding the order, which he answered during the recent meeting . One of the concerns brought up was concerning $45,000 in quality control plans for the contract. He clarified how it is federally mandated. Another concern mentioned regarded $25,000 in mobilization, which he also clarified is a federal requirement and pertains to a 10% charge for the mobilization of the change order the county is required to pay. However, on the next stage of funds, the commission will also have a significant chance of earning back the 10% of funds payed in, with an additional $32,000 to go towards paying the mobilization.
“This will also allow us to have up to three or four more hangars of what we had in this $865,000. So I recommend we do this change order,” said Jackson.
The board agreed to pass the change order during the meeting, with all changes towards the contract with Global Infrastructure Inc. now in effect.