Preston council approves sole‑source contract for hydro turbine refurbishment

The Preston City Council voted to approve a sole‑source award for refurbishment work on the city’s hydroelectric equipment after staff and contractors told the council that parts and specialized machining are available from a single known vendor.

Why it matters: City staff said the hydro unit was originally built with parts from a U.K. company and that specialized components and foundry work are difficult to source domestically. Public‑works staff argued a single vendor, identified in the discussion as Canyon Hydro, has the necessary parts, experience and a foundry relationship to complete the work.

What the council heard Public‑works director John Ball described the turbine’s origins and said the city previously worked with Canyon Hydro and an industry contractor on wheel repairs. City legal counsel and staff explained that Idaho procurement law allows a sole‑source designation when no adequate vendor exists and that, if council declares sole source, the city must publish notice; any vendor could challenge the designation within 14 days of publication.

Council action Council member Chris Larson moved to approve awarding the refurbishment contract on a sole‑source basis, conditioned on completion of required publication and absence of a successful challenge. The motion was seconded and approved on an aye vote.

Next steps Staff said they would publish the notice and proceed if no challenge is filed within the statutory period. Council members emphasized the unit’s long service and the limited number of vendors capable of this specialized work.

Ending note: Council members noted the hydro installation has produced revenue for the city since the 1970s and that keeping the unit running requires specialized suppliers and machining.