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Council approves contract to rebuild south aeration system after bid prices outstrip original 2020 grant
Summary
Faced with construction bids far above the 2020 grant estimate, the council voted to award a contract to McKinmore to replace the sewer plant’s south aeration system and refurbish the raw sewage pump station, leaving portions of the original project unfunded.
The Grand Saline City Council voted Jan. 20 to accept a recommendation from engineering consultants and award a construction contract for the sewer plant upgrade focused on the south aeration system.
The move follows multiple bids that significantly exceeded the 2020 grant estimates for a larger renovation. Jacob Martin Engineering told the council the practical choice is to complete the south system and associated raw sewage pump work now and defer the north system and overflow-tank work because current bids push the project far beyond available grant funding.
“The total construction budget we would have is 724,534,” the consultant said during the presentation, noting that executing only the south-system scope would leave roughly $48,000 of the original grant unspent rather than accepting higher-priced bid alternatives. Council members asked whether rebidding could capture lower prices; consultants warned rebidding has repeatedly produced similarly high or no bids and could further delay repairs.
Councilor Brian moved to accept the recommended award to McKinmore; the motion was seconded and approved with no opposition. Following the council motion, staff will notify the contractor and forward the award for review to the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) as required for grant-funded projects.
Why it matters: engineers told the council earlier versions of the project — procured in 2020 — were based on significantly lower equipment and construction costs; by 2025 quoted equipment alone had risen several-fold. The council opted to repair the most critical components now rather than allow the whole project to stall indefinitely.
What comes next: with the council’s approval the city will proceed with the McKinmore contract for the south-system work, submit award paperwork to TWDB for review, and schedule construction. Council members and staff said they may pursue additional grants for remaining work and could rebid later if market conditions improve.
