Valdosta council approves vehicle purchases, pump rehab, radios and transit extension; several bids pass by acclamation

Valdosta Mayor and council approved a series of procurement and contract items during its special call meeting, including municipal vehicles, water-plant repairs, a design amendment and portable radios for emergency responders. Several motions passed by acclamation or by show of hands.

Votes at a glance

- Minutes: Approved minutes from Dec. 19 and Jan. 9 (approved by acclamation). - Bucket truck: Approved purchase of a replacement bucket truck to replace a 22-year-old unit; staff recommended the low responsive bid from Alan J. Fleet in the amount stated in the meeting, $158,590 (approved by show of hands). - Crew cab service truck: Approved purchase to replace a 30-year-old school-bus-based vehicle; staff recommended the low bid to Fill Brandon Ford for $74,616 (approved by show of hands). - Fire SUVs: Approved purchase of two Tahoe-style SUVs for the Fire Department to replace a 19-year-old Ford Expedition and a 22-year-old F-350; staff stated the vendor price as $109,174 each (both budgeted and over-budget amounts referenced; approved by show of hands). - High-service pump rehabilitation: Approved rehabilitation of Pump No. 4 at the Guest Road Water Treatment Plant to Road Well Drilling (single sealed bid) for $134,000 (budgeted at $135,000; approved by show of hands). - Belt filter press design amendment: Approved an additional design fee submitted by CDM Smith for design modifications in the amount of $18,645 (approved by show of hands). - Motorola portable radios: Approved purchase of 10 Motorola portable radios to meet TDMA requirements cited by Lowndes County E911; staff stated the test purchase amount as $89,537.90 for the 10 units (approved by show of hands). - VIA transit contract amendment: Approved Amendment No. 6 to extend the VIA transit service contract for Valdosta by one month (with staff noting an additional month is available if needed) while legal and GDOT review concludes (approved by show of hands). - Airport Authority appointment: Appointed Paul Hamilton to fill an unexpired term on the Lowndes County Airport Authority ending May 25, 2025 (appointment by acclamation).

Details and context

Vehicles and equipment: Benno Dow of the engineering group told council the bucket truck request is a budgeted replacement for a 22-year-old unit; staff recommended accepting the low responsive bid to Alan J. Fleet for $158,590. For the crew cab service truck, Ben described replacing a 30-year-old school bus that the stormwater crew had used; staff recommended the low bid to Fill Brandon Ford for $74,616.

Fire department: Chief Powell said the department is moving to SUVs to accommodate state Office of EMS equipment requirements and to free space on engines; he told council the two vehicles were budgeted but would be slightly over budget. "There's a lot of equipment that's required by state office of EMS in order for us to stay in compliance," Chief Powell said, explaining the extra interior room was the driver for the change.

Water treatment plant: Jason Barnes reported that the No. 4 high-service turbine pump at the Guest Road Water Treatment Plant, originally installed in 1992 and rated at 6,000,000 gallons per day, had lost capacity; staff received one sealed bid from Road Well Drilling for $134,000 (budgeted at $135,000) and recommended approval.

Belt filter press: Staff described design modifications needed for the belt filter press project after reaching 60% design. The modifications include continuous ventilation fans for methane safety, a replacement wash booster pump to meet flow/pressure requirements, and an expanded drainage basin to avoid demolition. The amendment increases the previously approved design fee by $18,645, which staff recommended approving. Staff noted the cost of the belt filter press equipment had risen from about $414,000 in January 2024 to $475,000 in January 2025, and that construction and installation costs remain to be approved later.

Portable radios: Police Chief Leslie Manahan told council the department's Motorola portable radios are more than 13 years old, out of warranty and parts-obsolete. She said Lowndes County e911 is mandating TDMA-capable radios and that Motorola is currently the vendor that offers the feature the county requires. "Our portable radios are our lifeline for our first responders," Manahan said. Council approved a test purchase of 10 radios as presented so the city can evaluate compatibility and plan for outfitting other departments.

Transit contract extension: A VIA representative asked council for Amendment No. 6, a one-month extension of the transit contract while legal finalized language and the Georgia Department of Transportation reviewed the contract. Staff said GDOT had agreed to allow the extension to avoid funding disruptions; council approved the extension.

Airport Authority appointment: The council appointed Paul Hamilton to the Lowndes County Airport Authority to complete the unexpired term ending May 25, 2025. The appointment was made by acclamation following an advertised recruitment process.

Council action: Each of the above items carried by acclamation or by show of hands during the special-call meeting. Several presenters and department heads told council these purchases and contracts are budgeted or previously authorized and that construction or installation approvals will be returned to council when final costs and timing are known.