Ridgecrest council approves $60,000 emergency appropriation to repair sports‑complex well

The Ridgecrest City Council on Oct. 1 approved a $60,000 emergency appropriation to repair a failed well at Leroy Jackson Sports Complex and waived the standard bidding procedure, city staff said.

City maintenance personnel discovered on Aug. 26 that the sprinklers at the sports complex were not running. A subsequent inspection found burnt wiring and a burned pump and motor. Public works staff and Independent Well Drilling recommended cleaning the well interior, installing a gravel filter or plug as needed, descaling and disinfecting the screened casing and installing a properly sized replacement pump and motor.

The council voted to fund the repairs and allow staff to use Independent Well Drilling for the urgent work. The motion was approved 5‑0.

City staff said the work includes bailing and airlifting to remove silt, installing a gravel filter to prevent gravel migration into the PVC liner and replacing the pump and motor. Staff told the council the vendor estimated the repairs would return another 10 to 15 years of service and that the city is currently operating on a single remaining well for that site.

Council members asked whether the other well at the complex has shown trouble; staff said the other well has not had recent issues. Staff also said they consulted Public Works Manager Travis Reid about the repair plan and confirmed the recommended approach with the well company.

Why it matters: Restoring the Leroy Jackson Sports Complex well is intended to protect irrigated fields and reduce pressure on the city’s remaining wells. The council authorized the use of a single qualified contractor without formal bidding because of the urgency to restore irrigation and avoid overtaxing the only working well on site.

Formal action: Motion to increase appropriations by $60,000 for repairs to the Leroy Jackson Sports Complex well and to waive competitive bidding for the emergency repair; vote 5 ayes, motion carries.