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Fort Branch council approves cameras, IT equipment and multiple water and public‑works expenditures
Summary
Council approved purchases including a Parish Consulting laptop and mini‑PCs for camera streaming, an $18,000 camera system (to be paid from public-safety funds/budgeted in 2026), well cleaning for Highway 41 wells ($14,000 per well estimate) and a water softener for the town building; the council also authorized staff to pursue a vehicle lease if lease terms can be arranged.
The Fort Branch town council moved through several procurement and project items at its meeting, approving technology and public‑works purchases intended to support public safety and ongoing utility maintenance.
Council members voted to purchase a laptop and mini‑PCs from Parish Consulting for off‑site streaming and to support the town’s camera system. The Parish Consulting option was selected for warranty and predictable setup costs. Council then approved a separate camera‑system quote for on‑site monitoring with an estimated purchase price of $18,000; council members said the price needed to be secured now to hold the quoted amount and that ongoing service or warranty terms would be budgeted in 2026.
On utility work, staff presented an estimate to clean and service the town’s Highway 41 wells — about $14,000 per well to remove pumping equipment, jet‑wash, descale and reinstall pumps — and the council approved cleaning both wells using budgeted water funds. Council also approved purchasing a water softener for the municipal building (estimated under $500) and approved pay application #10 for the sewer project in the amount of $118,979; staff said one final payment is expected when remaining punch-list work is finished.
Council discussed heavy-equipment options (a mini loader/Bobcat quote in the $57,000–$62,000 range), but deferred a purchase pending additional vendor comparisons. The council also reviewed mower and bush‑hog quotes and asked staff to obtain an additional quote before deciding.
The council authorized staff to proceed with a conditional vehicle lease/purchase if a favorable three‑year lease could be arranged promptly; members asked that staff attempt to secure terms that would permit a fall acquisition if possible.
Votes at a glance: minutes, claims docket ($341,974.80), fund report (amount unclear in transcript), sewer pay application #10 ($118,979) and the Parish Consulting and camera purchases were approved by voice vote; individual roll‑call tallies were not recorded in the public transcript.
What to watch: staff will follow up on camera-service pricing and warranty terms, finish procurement paperwork, and proceed with well cleaning and the remaining sewer contractor closeout work.
