Portage County's Water Resources Department notified commissioners it intends to purchase a 2025 Chevrolet Blazer for a newly hired engineering inspector and reported that demolition work at the Fairlane Wastewater Treatment Plant is well underway.
Why it matters: The vehicle authorization ensures an inspector will have transportation for fieldwork on larger county projects; the Fairlane plant work affects county wastewater infrastructure and will require contracting and capital work.
Vehicle purchase: Dan, director of Water Resources, told commissioners the department is fully staffed and needs a midsize SUV for the new inspector. Dan said staff searched state bid lists and local dealerships after finding limited availability for preferred makes and models. He told the board his staff visited three dealerships and located a suitable Chevy Blazer at reasonable pricing.
Commissioners asked whether the purchase complies with state bid rules. Dan said staff believed the price to be at or below the state bid and that the purchase falls under the state-bid specifications. The board approved a motion to declare the necessity to purchase a 2025 Chevy Blazer 2LT AWD for the Water Resources Department; the motion passed by roll call with commissioners voting yes.
Fairlane Wastewater Treatment Plant: Dan reported crews had removed roughly 75% of the roof and had taken down most of the walls at the Fairlane plant; he said much of the facility's infrastructure that had been inside is now exposed. "All of our essentially, all of our infrastructure that was inside is now outside," Dan said, adding that a temporary roof over electrical equipment will be needed and that Summit Construction is being considered to submit a proposal for the reconstruction.
Next steps: Staff will confirm state-bid compliance for the vehicle purchase documentation and proceed with procurement. For Fairlane, Water Resources plans to solicit proposals from contractors for reconstruction work and will bring contract recommendations to the board for approval.