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Albany Utility Board approves multiple equipment purchases and repairs totaling about $288,000
Summary
The Albany Utility Board voted to authorize contracts and purchases for fuel dispensers, electrical starters and multiple pump repairs and replacements, citing aging equipment and emergency needs; all items were approved and will be forwarded as recommended items where required.
The Albany Utility Board on Oct. 9 approved a series of equipment purchases and repair contracts for city utility operations, citing aging pumps and fuel dispensers that staff said were at or near the end of their service lives.
Board members authorized spending on five separate items: replacement of aged diesel dispensers and fuel equipment, a soft starter for a wastewater blower, an emergency replacement of a downtown well pump, repair of a wastewater-treatment pump and purchase of a trailer-mounted Godwin pump. Staff said local vendors and cooperative purchasing contracts were used where possible and that repairs were generally much less expensive than full replacements.
City fleet and operations staff requested $86,012.72 to replace fuel dispensers at Public Works and other locations and said Barber Equipment of Albany will perform the work and provide ongoing service. Staff said many dispensers are 20–25 years old and parts are often unavailable. Chair introduced the item, fleet staff described the vendor history and Jordan (staff) said Barber is reputable. A one-year manufacturer warranty was noted.
The board also approved a $44,710 purchase of a Benshaw soft starter for blower No. 3 at the wastewater plant; consultant ESG recommended the unit and the product was presented as identical to units already installed on the other two blowers and included a three-year exclusive warranty.
For water services, staff described an emergency replacement of the Well 13 pump after a vendor determined the pump was not repairable. The board authorized a $46,930 contract with Donald Smith Company to install a new pump, citing the pump’s critical role serving downtown and a nearby hospital.
At the wastewater treatment plant, staff requested $58,683.92 to repair a large pump. Utilities staff said replacement would cost roughly $200,000 and that industry practice is to rebuild when repair costs are less than half the replacement price; the board approved the repair contract with Waco Electrical Supply.
Finally, fleet requested a 6-inch Godwin pump from Xylem Dewatering Solutions for $53,276.81 using a Florida Sheriffs Association cooperative contract. Staff explained cooperative procurement expedites purchasing and helps standardize fleet equipment; the unit includes freight and a 12-month/2,000-hour warranty. Staff asked to deem the replaced unit surplus upon delivery.
All five items were moved, seconded and approved by roll call without substantial additional debate. Staff said vendors were chosen for experience and existing maintenance relationships and that repairs or replacements were scheduled to reduce service interruptions.
The most recent procedural step for some of the purchases is to forward them to the city commission where required; staff will process the contracts and notify the board of delivery and service timelines.
