Weatherford approves $5,400,938 SCADA budget supplement, OKs equipment purchases and project extensions

The City of Weatherford approved a $5,400,938 budget supplement split between the water and wastewater funds to cover final costs for the city's SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) program and unanimously approved a series of equipment purchases and project adjustments at its regular meeting.

City leaders said the SCADA upgrade began in August 2023 and required a final funding supplement after the system build and testing. The council approved the supplement by unanimous vote; the request was presented as the final cost to complete the water and wastewater program.

Council members also approved a set of procurement and contract items brought forward by city staff. The council accepted the recommended bid from Southwest Air Conditioning and Heating to replace two original heating units at the city shop and the water department shop for $8,350. The city approved a state-contract purchase of a 2025 Chevrolet 35100 pickup for the water department at $47,427 and a state-contract purchase of a Ditch Witch HX30 diesel vacuum for the water department at $92,057 (state-contract price). The council declared 30 worn dumpsters from the sanitation department as surplus.

On capital projects, the council approved a location agreement request with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to construct landscaping and a gateway sign on state right-of-way at mile marker 84.3 (near the new Airport Road exit). The gateway sign will be funded through Route 66 program funds, and the city indicated the location and initial funding source; a second sign on the west side of town was discussed as a possibility depending on remaining funds.

The council also approved change order number 2 for Wind Construction on the wastewater treatment facility's sludge dewatering container project, extending the contract completion date. Staff requested an extension to March 31, 2025 after learning the shipping date would be later than previously expected; the extension was granted unanimously.

All motions recorded during the meeting passed unanimously. The meeting also moved routine consent items and adjourned following the posted agenda.

Votes at a glance

- Replace two heating units at city shop and water department shop: Approved. Motion by Goldman, second by Wood. Award to Southwest Air Conditioning and Heating, $8,350. Vote: Wood Aye; Ingram Aye; Goldman Aye; Smith Aye; Brown Aye.

- Approve DOT agreement to construct landscaping and a Route 66 gateway sign at mile marker 84.3: Approved. Motion by Smith, second by Goldman. Funded with Route 66 funds. Vote: Wood Aye; Ingram Aye; Goldman Aye; Smith Aye; Brown Aye.

- Change order #2, Wind Construction (wastewater sludge dewatering container): Approved extension to March 31, 2025. Motion by Goldman, second by Ingram. Vote: Wood Aye; Ingram Aye; Goldman Aye; Smith Aye; Brown Aye.

- Purchase 2025 Chevrolet 35100 pickup (water department) via state contract: Approved. Motion by Ingram, second by Smith. State-contract price: $47,427. Vote: Wood Aye; Ingram Aye; Goldman Aye; Smith Aye; Brown Aye.

- Purchase Ditch Witch HX30 diesel vacuum (water department) via state contract: Approved. Motion by Wood, second by Goldman. State-contract price: $92,057. Vote: Wood Aye; Ingram Aye; Goldman Aye; Smith Aye; Brown Aye.

- Budget supplement for SCADA final cost, split between water and wastewater, $5,400,938: Approved. Motion by Smith, second by Wood. Vote: Wood Aye; Ingram Aye; Goldman Aye; Smith Aye; Brown Aye.

- Declare 30 sanitation dumpsters surplus: Approved. Motion by Ingram, second by Smith. Vote: Wood Aye; Ingram Aye; Goldman Aye; Smith Aye; Brown Aye.

What the council said and next steps

City staff said the SCADA program required custom work and had been in progress since August 2023; the final supplement covers the buildout and implementation. Staff also said several equipment purchases were available on state contract prices below budgeted amounts. The DOT agreement on the gateway sign documents the requested location; construction and any additional signs depend on available Route 66 funding.

No votes failed or were tabled at the meeting. Staff will proceed with contracts and purchases as approved, and the city will record the extended contract completion date for the sludge dewatering container project as March 31, 2025.

Ending

The meeting concluded after routine consent agenda approval and the formal adjournment vote.