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Ocala council approves multiple contract renewals, grant appropriations and technology purchases
Summary
The Ocala City Council on Jan. 6 approved one‑year renewals for pipeline and construction services, accepted a $2 million St. Johns River Water Management District grant, and authorized inventory purchases and a three‑year utility software agreement.
Ocala — The City Council voted Jan. 6 to renew several municipal service contracts, appropriate grant funds for water projects and approve technology and inventory purchases.
City Engineer Sean Lanier presented a one‑year renewal with Miller Pipeline to continue construction services for water resources projects through Jan. 8, 2027, and recommended council approval. Council approved the renewal on a roll call with all members voting in the affirmative.
Lanier also recommended renewal of services with Art Walker Construction Inc. to manage lime‑softening sludge from Water Treatment Plant 1, which staff estimated produces about 10,000 to 13,000 cubic yards annually. Council approved that renewal as well.
The council accepted a $2,000,000 grant from the St. Johns River Water Management District for Phase 4 of the Ocala Lower Florida Aquifer project, which staff estimated will cost about $4,000,000 in total and includes construction of a high‑service pump building and associated equipment at Water Treatment Plant No. 2. Council then approved a budget resolution to appropriate the grant funding.
Council also approved purchases of inventory items for the Ocala Fiber Network following a public ITB process and authorized a three‑year agreement with Epsilon Esalron Software LLC for utility customer payment and metering/data management services, a renewal/replacement aligned with features the city has used since 2011.
Staff said the actions support the city's strategic goals of operational excellence and fiscal sustainability. No significant public opposition was recorded during the votes; each item carried on roll call with affirmative votes by the council.
