Whitefish council awards $6.632M bid for 1,000,000‑gallon elevated water tank; SRF loan and impact fees to fund project
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Summary
The council unanimously approved awarding the bid to Landmark Structures for a 1,000,000‑gallon elevated storage tank at a low bid of $6,632,000, funded primarily through the State Revolving Fund with about $1 million in impact‑fee funds and anticipated principal forgiveness.
The Whitefish City Council unanimously approved a staff recommendation to award a $6,632,000 contract to Landmark Structures to build a 1,000,000‑gallon composite elevated water storage tank at the city shop on 18th Street.
Public Works Director Craig Workman summarized the multi‑phase effort that began in 2017: distribution modeling, preliminary siting and an engineering report. Workman said the low bid of $6,632,000 was about $132,000 (roughly 2%) above the staff estimate of $6,500,000. He described the funding plan as primarily an SRF (State Revolving Fund) loan program with an anticipated $1,000,000 principal forgiveness and roughly $1,000,000 of impact‑fee funds to be applied to the project.
Why it matters: the added elevated storage is intended to meet DEQ fire‑flow requirements and to support future population and growth scenarios described in the community plan. Workman noted subsequent phases will include water‑main work and a booster station; staff estimated the total multi‑phase program could approach $18–$20 million.
Council action and funding Councilor Giuseppe moved and Councilor Furey seconded the motion to award the contract to Landmark Structures. The motion carried unanimously. Staff told council that final SRF financing approval was expected this week and that phase‑two work would follow in subsequent council actions and packet materials.
Clarifying details - Low bid: $6,632,000 (Landmark Structures). - Staff estimate: $6,500,000 (difference ~$132,000, ~2%). - Anticipated funding: SRF loan program with approximately $1,000,000 in principal forgiveness and about $1,000,000 of impact‑fee funds to be used on phase 1. Phases 2 and 3 (mains and booster) will require additional funding and are expected to increase program costs into the $18–$20 million range.
Quote - Craig Workman: “This added storage will allow the city to meet fire flow demands required from DEQ.”
Next steps: staff will return with SRF financing documentation and subsequent phase bids/requests for council approval.