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Madison County moves ahead with vehicle-complex generator purchase; up to $300,000 authorized pending final quotes
Summary
Commissioners authorized proceeding with purchase and installation of a larger standby generator for the vehicle complex — quote received for $280,348 — and discussed FEMA reimbursement prospects and fuel/installation options.
Madison County commissioners authorized county staff to proceed with procurement of a standby generator and associated electrical work to power the vehicle complex and associated server/operations, approving a not-to-exceed cap to allow contracting while staff refines fuel and engineering options.
Why it matters: County staff described a history of unreliable temporary backup power and a prior backup that failed. The requested generator would support full-building operations during outages; staff sought board authorization to buy and install equipment and to complete associated electrical work. County staff said the county previously applied to FEMA for partial funding but the generator was not approved in the first round; an appeal is pending.
What was presented: Facilities staff reported an equipment quote of $280,348 for the generator and two options for electrical work to connect it to building distribution. County staff said the vendor recommended an underground feed from the pole and a pad-mounted transfer switch. They also discussed alternative fuels (diesel vs. natural gas or dual-fuel systems) and recommended exploring dual-fuel or natural-gas options to avoid long-term diesel storage and fuel-gelling issues. Staff said Georgia Power has engineers working on redundant service and transfer arrangements for the area; drawings and coordination remain in progress.
Board action: Commissioners moved and seconded a motion authorizing staff to proceed with the generator project and associated site/electrical work, with a not-to-exceed cap (board members discussed $300,000 as a practical cap for contracting) so staff can sign orders and begin the procurement process. The board discussed seeking three bids, exploring dual-fuel options and pursuing any available FEMA or utility cost-sharing. The motion passed on the record.
Ending: Staff will pursue final vendor quotes, request updated pricing that includes a natural-gas or dual-fuel option, continue discussions with Georgia Power on redundant feeds and pursue FEMA appeal and other potential reimbursements; the board authorized the project subject to the approved cap.
