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Albany utility board approves replacement and repair contracts for pumps and fuel dispensers
Summary
The Albany Utility Board authorized a series of equipment purchases and repairs — including fuel dispensers, a soft starter, two large pump repairs/replacements and a trailer-mounted Godwin pump — totaling several hundred thousand dollars and forwarded one purchase for city commission approval.
The Albany Utility Board on Oct. 9 authorized multiple contracts to replace and repair aging equipment across the city’s utility operations, approving purchases that staff said are necessary to avoid extended service outages.
Board members voted to authorize fleet to buy five diesel dispenser units from Barber Equipment of Albany for $86,012.72. A fleet presenter said the items replace pumps that are “over 20, 25 years” old and that “they can’t get parts for these things anymore,” leaving units out of service for weeks when they fail. Staff said the new units carry a one‑year warranty and Barber has provided ongoing service to the city.
The board also approved a $44,710 purchase of a Benshaw series soft starter recommended by ESG to replace blower #3 at the wastewater plant. ESG has a maintenance contract with the city and the product, staff said, carries an exclusive three‑year warranty.
For the water system, the board authorized a $46,930 contract with Donald Smith Company to replace the pump at Well 13 after an inspection determined the existing unit could not be repaired in place. Staff described the work as critical because the two pumps serving that sector of the city support downtown and hospital service.
At the wastewater treatment plant, commissioners approved a $58,683.92 repair by Waco Electric Supply to a large pump. Staff noted that full replacement would cost roughly $200,000 and that the repair is expected to extend the unit’s useful life by about four to five years.
Fleet also sought and received authorization to purchase a 6‑inch trailer‑mounted Godwin pump from Xylem Dewatering Solutions under a Florida Sheriffs Association cooperative contract for $53,276.81; staff said freight is included and the pump has a 12‑month or 2,000‑hour warranty.
All five items were approved on roll calls at the meeting; staff said vendors chosen are either local or part of established cooperative contracts and that the purchases are part of an ongoing plan to standardize fleet and utility equipment to reduce long‑term maintenance costs.
The board recorded no dissenting votes on these items and recommended the Godwin pump purchase for city commission approval. Meeting minutes show motions and second(s) were made for each item and passed by affirmative roll calls.
What’s next: vendors will schedule installations and deliveries; staff said lead times vary (the Godwin pump was estimated at about 30 days from receipt of purchase order) and will report back to the board on implementation and warranty performance.
