Utility board approves multiple equipment contracts, forwards pump purchase to city commission

The Albany Utility Board on Oct. 9 approved a series of equipment purchases and repairs intended to maintain fleet and water/wastewater operations, and forwarded one procurement to the city commission for approval.

In the meeting's consent and action items the board authorized a contract with Barber Equipment of Albany to replace five fuel-dispensing units for a total staff-estimated expenditure of $86,012.72. Fleet staff said Barber has performed prior work for the city; Bernard (fleet/operations) told the board, “They can't get parts for these things anymore,” and said older pumps have led to multi-week outages. The motion to award the purchase passed on a roll-call vote with the chair and board members voting yes.

The board also approved a $44,710 purchase of a Benshaw-series solid‑state soft starter for blower No. 3 at the wastewater plant after ESG, the plant's maintenance contractor, recommended the replacement. Staff noted the product includes a three‑year warranty.

Because an in‑place pump at Well 13 was diagnosed as irreparable, the board authorized a $46,930 contract with Donald Smith Company of Hedland, Alabama to install a new pump to avoid potential downtown/hospital service outages. Separately, the board approved a $58,683.92 repair by Waco Electric Supply on a large wastewater pump; staff said replacement would cost roughly $200,000 and the repair is expected to extend the pump's life about four to five years.

Fleet requested that the board recommend to the city commission the purchase of a 6‑inch Godwin pump from Xylem Dewatering Solutions using a Florida Sheriffs Association cooperative contract for $53,276.81; the board voted to forward the item for commission consideration.

All votes recorded in the meeting were taken by roll call and were recorded as yes unless noted in the minutes.