Council awards $884,037 Mill River lift‑station construction contract to Big Sky ID Corp

The Coeur d'Alene City Council voted unanimously March 17 to award a $884,037 construction contract to Big Sky ID Corp to upgrade the Mill River lift station.

Mike Anderson of the city’s wastewater treatment plant told the council the work is part of the FY25–26 wastewater collection capital program and is needed to increase capacity and allow future bypassing and maintenance access at a lift station installed in the early 2000s. Anderson said the construction cost is part of a $1.2 million total project that also includes engineering; the city has budgeted about $900,000 for the capital line this year and expects to amend the budget in August to cover the remainder, offset by roughly $315,000 in prior‑year savings and about $400,000 in accumulated surcharge funds restricted to customers who use that lift station.

Anderson explained the scope includes work to re‑route one of the feed lines, install a larger wet manhole that will act as a mini wet well, and provide infrastructure to bypass the lift station for maintenance. He said the city went to public bid under Idaho law, received five bidders, and that Big Sky was the lowest responsive bidder and was determined to be responsible by the city’s engineers and legal staff.

Council moved the contract and, after a roll call, approved the award unanimously. The administration will return later to request a budget amendment to cover the remaining project costs.

The award follows staff’s recommendation and does not include additional conditions beyond the usual contract responsiveness and compliance checks.