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City staff: Substation 3 now projected near $10.8M; transformers and installation inflation drive costs
Summary
CIP presenters told the advisory committee Substation 3 procurement plus construction and engineering are estimated near $10.8 million; two transformers alone were quoted at roughly $3.7 million and lead times may be 12–18 months, affecting scheduling and rate planning.
City CIP staff told the committee that Substation 3 is the largest near‑term electrical capital project and shared a detailed cost breakdown and schedule. Carol Ellis, the city’s CIP coordinator, said the 5‑year plan brought to council in December includes adjustments after recent contractor and vendor cost updates and that the city will seek council approval to fund Substation 3.
Utility engineer Bill Brunnigan outlined procurement and construction estimates: procurement (equipment) was estimated around $6.32 million (including approximately $3.7 million for two transformers), construction/installation was estimated at roughly $3.8 million and engineering about $730,000, producing an overall projected total near $10.8 million. Brunnigan noted that installation and labor inflation contributed substantially to the increase, and committee members asked about transformer lead times; staff said manufacturing and delivery could take about 12–18 months.
Committee members pressed on budget sequencing and how funds allocated to Substation 4 might be shifted into Substation 3 to address higher than anticipated costs. Staff said the city is taking the Substation 3 contract to council for approval and will return to the CIP plan to adjust funding across years once contracts are finalized. Members asked staff to provide the exact CRC cost‑breakdown documents and to clarify payment schedules, vendor terms and whether any existing equipment could be reused to reduce overall cost.
