Albany utility board authorizes sewer repair, digester‑mixer rebuild, vehicle purchase and well pump rebuild

The Albany Utility Board on March 2026 approved four utility actions intended to maintain water and wastewater service and preserve the system's reliability. The board unanimously authorized emergency sewer repairs at Lift Station 88, a digester‑mixer rebuild at the wastewater treatment plant, purchase of a replacement water‑department pickup truck and a rebuild of well pump '28.

Presenter (S3), describing the sewer issue, said the department "notified of a cave in at Oxford Asphalt Plant Rockyard on the February 6" and requested board approval "for officer construction for the Mercedes Sewer repairs located at Lift Station 88 in amount of $160,000." Staff said the work includes removing an existing 30‑inch reinforced concrete pipe (RCP) and replacing it between two manholes with temporary bypass pumping to maintain continuous wastewater services. The board moved, seconded and approved retroactive authorization to contract with Oxford; roll call recorded all members voting yes.

On a separate motion, Presenter (S5) and technical staff (S6) asked the board to authorize Pump Repair and Supply to rebuild digester mixer No. 3 at the wastewater treatment plant. Presenter (S5) noted the "mixer was purchased in 2003," and technical staff said Pump Repair and Supply provides a one‑year warranty on the rebuild and that staff expects "8 or 10 more years of service" after the work. The transcript records a cost of "$4,046,740 dollars" for the repair motion as stated to the board; the motion was seconded and approved by roll call.

The board also approved the water department's request to purchase a 2026 F‑150 crew cab to replace unit 15‑221. Presenter (S7) said the vehicle would be purchased from Wade Ford under a State of Georgia contract at a stated cost of $48,680, with the existing unit declared surplus. Fleet staff (S9) explained the city's replacement policy and typical useful life assumptions; the motion passed by roll call.

Finally, the board authorized a rebuild of well pump '28 with Donald Smith Company. Presenter (S3) initially described the vendor's estimate as a total expenditure of "$29,475," while the motion recorded by the chair cited "$49,475." Field staff (S10) said rebuilding the pump — replacing the column and shaft and reinstalling the unit — is substantially less expensive than replacing the entire pump, which staff estimated could cost around $3,040,000. The board approved the rebuild contract by roll call.

The minutes were approved earlier in the meeting. In each case the motions were moved, seconded and carried by roll call; recorded roll calls named members including Mr. Burley and Ms. Collier and showed the chair voting yes. Staff told the board these procurements were either included in the replacement budget (the pickup truck) or necessitated by emergency field conditions (the sewer repair and pump rebuild).

Next steps: staff will execute the authorized contracts and report back to the board as work progresses. The board's informational agenda later included updates on renewable energy opportunities and budget planning.

Votes at a glance: • Emergency sewer repair (Oxford) — authorized; cost stated $160,000; vote: all in favor by roll call. • Digester mixer No. 3 rebuild (Pump Repair and Supply) — authorized; cost stated in transcript $4,046,740; vote: all in favor by roll call. • 2026 F‑150 (Wade Ford) — authorized; cost $48,680; vote: all in favor by roll call. • Well '28 pump rebuild (Donald Smith Company) — authorized; cost reported inconsistently in transcript ($29,475 and $49,475); vote: all in favor by roll call.

(Details: the board recorded roll‑call votes for each motion. Staff will proceed with vendor agreements and implementation.)