Albany Utility Board approves multiple equipment purchases and emergency repairs

The Albany Utility Board on Oct. 9 authorized several procurement and repair contracts for city utility equipment, approving purchases and emergency repairs staff said are needed to keep fuel, water and wastewater systems operating.

Fleet and utility staff asked the board to authorize purchases that together total about $289,000. Items approved included replacement fuel dispensers from a local vendor, Barber Equipment of Albany; a Benshaw soft starter for a wastewater blower; a replacement pump for Well 13; repair work at the wastewater treatment plant; and a trailer‑mounted Godwin dewatering pump purchased off a cooperative contract.

Why it matters: staff said many pieces of equipment are near or past their expected lifespans and are difficult to maintain. Fleet staff said Barber Equipment has performed maintenance for the city and that older fuel dispensers, some 20–25 years old, are failing and parts are unavailable. Wastewater staff said replacement cost for a large wastewater pump would be roughly $200,000, so an approximately $58,684 repair was presented as a cost‑effective alternative that could extend service for four to five years.

Details of approvals: a purchase order for six diesel dispenser units (a mix of two high‑speed and four regular dispensers) was presented at $86,012.72; fleet staff said "work will be performed by a local vendor, Barber Equipment of Albany." The board approved a $44,710 purchase of a Benshaw series soft starter for blower No. 3; presenters said the unit carries a three‑year warranty. An emergency replacement of the pump at Well 13 was authorized with Donald Smith Company of Hedland, Ala., for $46,930 after staff said the removed pump could not be repaired. The board authorized a $58,683.92 repair to a wastewater treatment plant pump by Waco Electric Supply; staff and ESG (the city's maintenance contractor) said repair is far less costly than a full replacement. Finally, the board approved purchase of a 6‑inch Godwin pump from Xylem Dewatering Solutions for $53,276.81 under a Florida Sheriffs Association cooperative purchasing contract and requested the existing unit be declared surplus on delivery.

Quotes: fleet staff told the board that Barber "has a performance history with the city of Albany," and wastewater staff said replacement cost for the large pump would be in the neighborhood of $200,000, making repair a lower‑cost option that could extend the pump's life.

What's next: the purchase and repair contracts will proceed as authorized; the Godwin pump is estimated to be delivered about 30 days after receipt of the purchase order, staff said. The board also asked staff to provide periodic updates on capital projects and maintenance planning.