Council approves purchase of sewer crawler camera and crack sealer using COVID-era funds and department budgets

The Soda Springs City Council approved a plan to use $77,000 of federal COVID-related funds and draw on streets and wastewater department budgets as needed to purchase two pieces of equipment intended to help extend infrastructure life.

A motion at the meeting proposed applying $77,000 from the city’s remaining COVID-era allotment to cover part of the cost and for the streets and wastewater departments to cover any amount beyond that. Staff described two purchases: a crawler sewer-inspection camera (estimated up to $45,000 delivered) and a crack sealer (estimated about $44,500). Council discussion emphasized practical benefits: the crawler camera would allow in-house television inspection of sewer mains beyond the current push camera’s ~70-foot limit, improving identification of inflow, defects and service issues; the crack sealer would let street crews treat cracks and extend pavement life, potentially deferring more expensive chip-seal or repaving cycles.

Staff noted one of the items could be purchased used at roughly half the cost of new equipment while meeting operational needs. The motion stated that the market/COVID funds would cover the initial $77,000 and any additional cost up to roughly $50,000 per item would be covered from the respective departments’ already approved budgets. Council approved the motion by voice vote.

Council and staff said the investments will support in-house maintenance capabilities, allow crews to address more streets during summer staffing, and reduce reliance on outside contractors for inspections and pavement preservation.

Staff will proceed with procurement consistent with the motion and department budgets.