Committee moves to forward resolution waiving bids for standardized downtown LED streetlights

The Jonesboro Finance Administration Council Committee moved to forward Resolution 25-01-1 to the full City Council, a measure that would waive competitive bidding and authorize purchases of specified RAB Lehi LED post-top light fixtures and matching poles from a local supplier.

The resolution, introduced under new business, specifies unit prices of $512.82 for the RAB Lehi 5T52/PCT LED post-top fixture (or equivalent) and $493.59 for the RABPR4-11-15D2 pole (or equivalent) and names Tech Electric of Jonesboro as the local vendor. It cites Arkansas Code Annotated section 14-58-303 as the basis for waiving the competitive-bidding requirement.

Committee staff said the city is selecting the Lehi fixtures and matching poles as the city standard for pedestrian-priority streets and the redevelopment district so parts and replacement inventory can be stocked locally. “By purchasing them from local vendors that’s willing to stock the parts and poles, so if one gets hit by a car we can quickly replace it,” said a staff member identified in the meeting transcript as Greg. He added that the city currently must order some replacement parts from Canada, which increases cost and delay.

Committee members emphasized the public-safety rationale for standardizing fixtures and keeping parts locally available. “The public-safety part is simply a lit area safer than a dark area,” the committee chair said during discussion.

The resolution text directs the purchasing agent to acquire the specified fixtures and poles from the named local supplier at the prices listed, citing the need for speedy access to replacement parts to preserve public safety. The transcript records a motion and second to forward the resolution to full council; however, the committee vote tally and formal recorded outcome are not specified in the committee transcript.

The staff presentation said the specified fixtures will be used in the downtown redevelopment district, including the Crest Street lighting project and other nearby redevelopment sites; the fixtures are similar to existing lights near Arkansas State University and along Highway 18. Staff estimated the inventory of standardized fixtures could grow substantially as redevelopment continues.

The resolution will appear on the full City Council agenda for further consideration; the committee did not record a vote tally in the transcript provided.