Bountiful council approves $103,272 capacitor bank purchase and extends tree-trimming contract

The Bountiful City Council voted Jan. 28 to approve two Power Department items recommended by the Power Commission: the purchase of a capacitor bank for the Northwest Substation and a multi-year extension of a tree-trimming contract.

Power Director Alan Johnson told the council the capacitor bank (power-factor correction equipment) will help the city meet power-factor requirements on the 138-kV substation and improve reliability by offsetting reactive power from motors. Staff said the city solicited three bids and rejected one that did not meet the required basic impulse level (BIL). The Power Commission recommended the low responsive bid from Control X Corporation / Virginia Transformer for $103,272, and the council approved that purchase.

Johnson also recommended extending the existing contract with Diamond Tree Experts, which provides two contracted crews in addition to the city’s in-house pruning crew. The extension covers three 12-month increments with proposed increases of 3% in the first year, 3% in the second and 2% in the third. City staff said regular trimming has reduced tree-related outages and improves reliability. The city attorney reviewed and approved the contract language, staff said.

"It corrects our power factor," Johnson explained during the presentation when describing the capacitor bank’s role in aligning true and apparent power. Power Commission members present gave both items favorable recommendations. Council members moved, seconded and approved each item in separate motions during the meeting.