Chickasha authorizes bids for $69M water plant and municipal authority extends bid opening to Jan. 6, 2026

At a special meeting, the Chickasha City Council unanimously authorized the city manager to solicit bids for the Water Treatment Plant Improvements Project, which engineering staff estimates at about $69,000,000. Shortly afterward the Chickasha Municipal Authority approved Amendment No. 3 to extend the bid opening from Dec. 10, 2025, to Jan. 6, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.

City engineering consultant Jim told the council the firm’s comparable bid results have shown significant price increases and recommended a contracting arrangement that would allow certain purchases to be treated as tax‑exempt through the municipal authority. "They consider this would save us several million dollars in taxes," Jim said, and he noted the city would retain ownership of the utility facilities while financing is handled through the municipal authority.

Council members asked for clarification about the legal mechanics. One council member cited the Oklahoma Public Competitive Bidding Act and asked whether the municipal authority qualifies; staff and council clarified that the city itself qualifies under that statute but the municipal authority (CMA), as a separate public trust/financing entity, does not — which is why the city must be a contracting party to enable the tax‑exempt purchasing arrangement.

Council discussed timing and sourcing: staff said most major equipment is expected to be purchased out of state and that waiving sales tax on those purchases would likely not affect local sellers but would yield savings; the mayor estimated sales tax on taxable items averages about 8 percent. Jim repeated the firm’s current estimate for the project — "Their estimate was it to be a $69,000,000 project" — and said final costs will be known when bids are opened in January.

The council’s motion to authorize solicitation of bids was moved and seconded, then approved on a roll‑call vote with all members answering "Yes." The Chickasha Municipal Authority then approved Amendment No. 3, extending the bid opening to Jan. 6, 2026, at 1:30 p.m., also by roll call. After the votes the meetings were adjourned.

Next procedural steps: the city will solicit bids under the authorized procedure and open bids on Jan. 6, 2026; final project costs and award decisions will follow standard procurement review and any required approvals.