Board recommends $34.9 million contract for Joshua Street solids-handling upgrades at water pollution control plant

The Albany Utility Board voted on Feb. 27 to recommend that the city commission enter into a $34,888,171 contract with Ruby Collins of Smyrna, Georgia, to build solids-handling upgrades at the Joshua Street Water Pollution Control Plant.

The board was told the project (bid reference 25-035) replaces aging dissolved-air-flotation (DAF) thickening and dewatering equipment with gravity-belt thickeners, new belt presses and a new building to house solids-handling operations. Staff said the existing DAF is roughly 45 years old and parts are difficult to find; inspectors and engineers described recent operational risk when the DAF required emergency repairs.

Project presenters said the procurement was advertised widely; four firms attended the pre-bid meeting but only one submitted a bid. Staff investigated why other firms did not bid and concluded the market is saturated because multiple municipalities are upgrading similar facilities concurrently and equipment and electrical costs have risen. To cover increased costs, the city combined remaining proceeds from a prior $25 million loan, a new $12 million loan, SPLOST‑type funds and sewer funds. Staff stated the new $12 million loan includes $3 million in principal forgiveness if the funds are spent on the project.

Board members asked for a clear breakdown of funding sources and a timeline. Staff estimated construction and commissioning would take about two years and said the old building and tanks would be repurposed for equalization during operations. The board moved to recommend the Ruby Collins contract to the city commission; the roll-call vote recorded unanimous approval (Mister Burley — yes; Miss Collier — yes; Miss Fields — yes; Mister Woodall — yes; Chair votes yes). The item will proceed to the city commission for final contract award.