Finance committee approves multiple procurement actions including three‑year electricity rate lock and ice‑plant maintenance increase

The Warwick City Finance Committee voted to recommend approval of a slate of municipal procurement actions that included an electricity supplier rate lock, a maintenance increase at the Thayer Warburton Ice Plant and awards for building‑system services.

Electricity supplier: City Treasurer Lynn Prodger told the committee she was asking for approval to renew the city’s contract with Constellation Energy and to lock a rate now to avoid higher market prices next year. "I'm projecting about $72,000. The kilowatt rate that we pay now is $11.74," Prodger said. She reported a recent quote dropped from $11.16 to $10.94 and said locking a three‑year contract could yield savings compared with market bids that approached $16 per kilowatt-hour.

Ice‑plant maintenance: Crystal Moretti of Public Works requested an increase to a current contract cap that expires June 30. "Public Works is requesting to increase the award on this contract ... by the amount of $105,000 to complete the main preventative maintenance on the two chillers and our compressor room," she told the committee. Committee members asked whether the work was repair or preventative maintenance; Moretti said it was preventative work to avoid larger future failures.

Fire-safety services: Fire Department representatives recommended Johnson Controls for quarterly fire‑alarm inspections even though another bidder, Fire Equipment Inc., bid slightly lower. The department explained that Johnson Controls cross‑trains sprinkler and alarm technicians and will supply all required services during quarterly tests without an additional hourly charge; by contrast, Fire Equipment Inc. would require the city to provide a fire‑alarm technician during some tests, at an estimated rate of about $200 an hour.

Committee action and votes: The finance committee recommended favorable action on the consolidated bid packet and contract adjustments; those items were placed on the consent calendar and later moved by the full council. Committee members asked for and received clarifications on contract scope, existing caps, and whether work was preventative or repair in nature.

What passed (selected items): The committee packet included, among many items, bid number 2026030 (electricity supplier contract with Constellation Energy), item 22025001 (maintenance and repairs at Thayer Warburton Ice Plant; requested increase of $105,000), and the award recommendation for Johnson Controls for quarterly fire and sprinkler services. All were forwarded with favorable recommendation to the full council.