Atoka golf authority votes to buy new irrigation pump after repair estimate

The Atoka Municipal Golf Course Authority voted to purchase a new pump and motor after hearing estimates to repair the existing unit and to buy a replacement.

Trustees said the existing pump and motor both needed work and that a replacement would cost more than a rebuild, but would provide a more reliable solution. The authority approved buying the new unit and directed staff to process the purchase order.

During discussion trustees reviewed two written estimates presented at the meeting: an estimate to repair the current pump and motor and a higher estimate for a brand-new pump and motor. A trustee summarized the figures for the group as “repair the old pump and motor” versus “brand new pump and motor,” and raised wiring-size and installation questions for stepping up from the existing 7.5- to a 10-horsepower-equivalent unit. Trustees noted the pump house access had been improved with a catwalk so staff would not stand in water during maintenance.

Board members also discussed logistics if they purchased the replacement, including pickup and transport (the quote did not include freight), keeping the old unit for future rebuilding and keeping a spare on hand. One trustee said the authority would pick up the new unit and palletized freight likely would require a truck.

A motion to purchase the new pump carried on a roll call vote. The recorded votes were Trustee Henderson: aye; Trustee Armstrong: aye; Miss Thomas: aye; Mister Cathy: aye.

The authority instructed staff to obtain the invoice and issue a purchase order for the approved replacement unit and to retrieve the old pump for possible later rebuilding. The authority did not specify an exact delivery date at the meeting.

The pump decision addresses an immediate operations risk: trustees said the course needs reliable irrigation as warmer weather approaches and the existing unit had run dry at times because its inlet had been bent and it lacked a foot valve.