Supervisor Asks Study of Big-Project Revisions

Supervisor Jim Silva on Tuesday asked county officials to consider ways of reducing the number of “change orders” submitted by contractors who handle major construction jobs.

Silva said he is concerned with the number of job modifications brought before the board, noting that each change order adds to project costs.

The supervisor cited one contract involving the widening of Coast Highway near Newport Beach.

The job, which took several years to complete, recorded 40 separate change orders that resulted in a 20% cost increase.

A representative from the county’s Public Facilities and Resources Department said the 40 changes, while unusual, were justified because of harsh weather conditions and the complexity of the project.

Silva also requested an analysis of major contracts handled by the county over the last year to determine whether they included an excessive number of change orders.