Lawrenceburg Utility Board approves Altek bucket truck purchase, valve-exerciser and surplus sales

The Lawrenceburg Utility Board voted Nov. 3 to expedite multiple equipment purchases and to declare surplus inventory for sale. Key votes included approval to buy a bucket truck from Altek, approval of a valve-exerciser unit under a procurement exception, and authorization to sell surplus radio transmitters (YRTs) as obsolete inventory with a $65 reserve price.

City legal counsel explained that because Altek had an available truck that matched the utility’s specs, the board could either re-bid or use a local procurement exception for "unusual cost savings." Counsel said both options were legal; the board voted to accept the available Altek unit to achieve a cost and time savings. The transcript records the approved purchase price as not to exceed $259,804 (the staff account includes a $715 delivery fee).

On the valve-exerciser — equipment used to operate and log water-valve turns as part of a valve-maintenance program — staff described a pre-approved program and presented a model customized for the utility. During discussion Garrett stated the unit "comes in $90,432.50." However, the motion read into the record and approved by the board used a different figure: "not to exceed $990,432.50." The board approved the purchase on the same procurement-exception rationale shown for the bucket truck; the transcript records the motion and approval but contains the numerical discrepancy between staff’s stated quote and the motion language.

The board also addressed surplus inventory of electronic radio transmitters (YRTs) that were double-ordered. Staff said the units originally cost $105 each and have an expected service life of about 10 years; because of shelf life and batteries, market value falls more quickly. The board declared 160 of the YRTs obsolete inventory and authorized selling them with a reserve of $65 per unit. Members recorded that roughly 160 of the over-200 units could be sold immediately and any remainder could be offered at municipal auction.

Finally, the board authorized auctioning an old truck "as is" (noting the engine could be bad) using a municipal auction platform (govdeals). The board approved routine administrative items (minutes, payroll reports) and adjourned.

Actions taken reference a local procurement exception (cited in the meeting as code 5-22-10-1) and were presented to the board as legal alternatives to rebidding when immediate availability produces substantial savings for ratepayers.