Charles City supervisor continues to be frustrated as $1.3 million change order is approved

The handling of finances in Charles City County continues to be at the forefront of several conversations within the locality’s borders. And for one Charles City supervisor, it appears that it has gotten to the point where he is disgusted by the line of communication being provided on such matters.

District 1 leader Ryan Patterson expressed dismay on the handling of projects and information during Tuesday night’s Charles City County Board of Supervisors’ meeting.

Patterson’s frustration started at the beginning of the meeting, as a presentation was made about a change order request for the Mt. Zion wastewater treatment facility. The change order requested nearly an additional $1.3 million for repairs, with Charles City County Administrator Keith Rogers Jr. are due to grinder pump stations. Patterson commented that the service contract for the wastewater plant was $1.945 million and could not support it. Rogers said that additional equipment needed to be purchased and brought the issue back in front of the board. The county administrator added that the active Capital Improvement Project (CIP) still falls within the county’s budget of $5.5 million and is supported through grant funding. Still, Patterson abstained from voting, with District 2 supervisor Michael Hill and District 3 supervisor Byron Adkins Sr. approving of the change order for the work to be completed by Bowman Consulting Group.

During the public comment period, Martha Harris voiced concerns about the approval, asking if the board prepared for such change orders.

“There are six change orders listed in this, which increased the amount by $1,281,549,” she said. “The new contract amounts to $3.2 million dollars. That’s an increase of 67 percent.

“Were there provisions in the contract that address change orders?” Harris continued to ask. “If yes, then what was the monetary cap in those change orders? How many bidders bid on this contract or was Bowman [Consulting Inc.] the lowest?”

Harris went on to say the next bidders on the contract could have been disenfranchised, asking the board if they knew they were dealing with federal money.
“If there were other bidders, could they have had recourse if the terms in terms of challenging the awarding of the contract, seeing that the amount has changed?” she asked before taking a seat.

Meanwhile, additional questions were posed to county leadership on two other matters. The first matter was Virginia’s Department of Transportation (VDOT) six-year secondary road plan for the county. The county will receive $15,289 for this year, making their total pot $243,000, with projects believing it can reach $335,000 within the next five years. Citizens asked why that balance was not being applied to current secondary projects, including widening roads, graveling, and possible repaving. Resident Lloyd Carter Sr. commented that the money should be used for signage, pointing to upcoming construction on the bridge at Wayside Road that is scheduled to be closed for maintenance.

County leaders approved the six-year secondary plan unanimously.

Finally, a question was asked about the county’s recent purchase of a fire truck. Brandi Morano asked why the vehicle was not in the possession of the county.

“It is deeply concerning that we don’t have a fire truck that is paid for,” she said. “I don’t know wha the story is and I don’t really care.

“We deserve it. We paid for it, and we paid taxes for it,” Morano concluded.

During board directives, Patterson did not hold back his frustrations when it came to county operations as they head into the new fiscal year.

“I am tired of the way this administration is handling when it comes to communication,” the District 1 leader said. “I know for months I have asked for items to be put on the agenda, and here they are not on the agenda.

“I hope going forward that we start to see some changes in this administration to correct this,” Patterson concluded.