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Bedford County board tables $471,914 park lighting contract after members seek cost, maintenance details
Summary
The Bedford County Board of Supervisors voted to table awarding a $471,914 Musco contract to replace field lights at Bedford Avenue Park, asking staff for more information about repair costs, energy efficiency and parts availability before proceeding.
The Bedford County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday tabled a proposed $471,914 contract with Musco to replace field lighting at Bedford Avenue Park after supervisors pressed staff for more detail on repair costs, parts availability and energy savings.
The lighting proposal would replace the existing fixtures on Fields 1 and 2 and the soccer fields, install 10 poles with precast concrete bases and a remote control/timer system, and include a 25-year warranty. County staff told the board $420,000 is available in the current CIP and the remaining $51,914 would be covered by savings from other capital projects.
“The total cost of the project is $471,914,” the presenter said. He described the existing fixtures as nearing the end of their useful life, maintenance as “cost prohibited,” and said some existing poles and parts could be repurposed at other park or trail locations.
Supervisors pressed staff on whether repairing ballasts and bulbs would be more economical. “It seems $420,000 seems like a lot to spend when you could get by with, let’s say, $5,000 a year,” Supervisor Davis said during the discussion. Board members and staff exchanged figures for ballast and bulb replacement costs; staff later estimated annual maintenance in the low five-figure range when bulbs, ballasts, labor and lift rental were included.
Supervisor Tuck moved to table the contract until the next meeting so staff could provide additional information; the motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote. Tuck said the board needed answers about parts availability, retrofit options and energy-efficiency savings before committing CIP funds.
Board members also asked staff to make interim repairs to any pole outages that rendered fields unusable in the near term so residents could continue to use the facility while the board reviews the larger contract request.
The item will return at the next meeting with the additional cost comparisons and answers on whether the current ballasts and fixtures can be maintained, how soon manufacturers will stop producing parts, and projected energy savings from new fixtures.
Speakers quoted in this article spoke during the agenda item on park field lighting; the motion to table was procedural and decided by voice vote.
