Council approves $19,000 irrigation system for water plant over one dissent

The Jacksonville City Council voted to waive advertising requirements and accept a $19,000 proposal from Sprinklawn Irrigation Inc. to install a lawn irrigation system at the Jacksonville Water Treatment Plant.

The vote followed a request by Alderman Lockman to pull the item from the consent list for separate discussion. Alderman Hannett opposed the expenditure, saying the project was included in the utility budget but expressing concern about using utility (enterprise) funds for a sprinkler system rather than for sidewalks and streets. Council members proceeded to a roll call and approved the measure.

Nut Graf: The council approved the work as a utility-funded project; the waterworks and sewage projects fund will cover the cost. During discussion Alderman Hannett emphasized that the utility is an enterprise fund and warned against shifting water-rate revenues to what he described as nonessential landscaping expenses.

The ordinance authorizing the waiver of bid advertisement and acceptance of the Sprinklawn proposal was moved and put to a roll call. The recorded roll call in the transcript shows Alderman Hannett voting no and multiple aldermen voting yes; the motion carried. The council did not record a named mover or named seconder for the final vote in the transcript excerpt.

Clarifying details recorded in the meeting: the funding source for the work is the waterworks and sewage projects fund; the proposal amount was stated as $19,000. Council discussion confirmed that capital and operating costs for enterprise departments are reflected in utility billing to customers.

Ending: The council did not set an implementation timeline in the discussion recorded in the transcript; the accepted proposal and funding authorization allow staff to proceed with procurement and installation under the waived-advertisement agreement.