A $423,000 cut would still leave sewer upgrades $296,000 above the original contract

Starkville Utilities says work on the Ernest E. Jones wastewater treatment plant's aeration improvements is complete—and is seeking to trim $423,033.32 from the construction contract to reconcile the final quantities installed.⁠[1]

The proposed reduction would bring the contract from $9,618,952.33 to $9,195,919.01. That's a substantial cut from the previously adjusted price, but not a return to the original $8,900,415 contract: the resulting amount would still be $295,504.01 higher.⁠[1]

The largest single reduction is a $269,000 sludge-removal and disposal item for Oxidation Ditch No. 2, shown with an actual total price of zero. Two asphalt-related items account for another $94,000 in reductions, and a mobilization item accounts for $50,000.⁠[1]

The change-order form names Hemphill Construction Company LLC as contractor and Garver as engineer. It records the engineer's recommendation and the contractor's acceptance on October 9. It also includes a 70-day increase in contract time for readiness for final payment, while the accompanying Utilities report says the work itself is complete.⁠[1]

Change Order No. 3 was listed for the Board of Aldermen's consideration in the October 20 agenda packet. Those materials present a request for approval, not a completed board action. The board's decision on the reduction has not been verified.⁠[1]