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Council approves solar contractor award for 0.5‑MW wastewater array, contingent on a protective contract
Summary
Batesburg‑Leesville council approved awarding a 0.5 megawatt solar contract (Brandom Group) for the wastewater treatment plant under a federal grant, 60% federal/40% local, with the award contingent on a negotiated contract including performance bonds and tax‑credit protections.
The Batesburg‑Leesville Town Council voted to award the contract for a 0.5 megawatt solar array at the town’s wastewater treatment plant, approving the Brandom Group’s proposal contingent on a favorable contract and required federal terms.
Staff presented the climate pollution reduction grant project during the April 13 meeting. Joselyn Faulenstein of the Central Midlands Council of Governments said four bids were received and that the Brandom Group ‘‘while not the lowest bid, was rated the highest’’ based on the scoring sheet. The town’s total estimated project cost was presented as $1,335,448 (system price $1,296,676; monitoring equipment $10,500; fence $28,272), to be funded roughly 60% by the federal grant and 40% locally.
Town manager Jay Hendricks and COG staff explained the council’s local match would be offset in large part by the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) mechanism administered by the IRS. Faulenstein said the ITC process is ‘‘not a grant’’ and that processing commonly takes ‘‘about 18 to 24 months,’’ requiring the town to front the local share during construction.
Several council members pressed staff on financial risk and contract protections. One councilor asked, ‘‘Does the contract protect the town in the event that we do not qualify for the IRS tax credit because of factors beyond the town’s control?’’ Staff replied that the RFP and upcoming contract negotiations will include federal terms and that ‘‘all of our contracts require performance and payment bonds in 100% of contract value’’ for this EPA-funded work.
After debate about timelines, start‑of‑construction safe‑harbors, and banked funds the council voted to award the contract to the Brandom Group ‘‘contingent upon a favorable agreement between the parties.’’ The roll‑call recorded yes votes from Districts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 and no votes from Districts 5, 7 and 8; the mayor voted no as well. Staff said the negotiated contract will be returned to council for final approval and will include clauses addressing tax‑credit eligibility and standard federal requirements.
Next steps: staff will negotiate final contract terms with the selected contractor, include required bonds and federal terms, and bring the final agreement back to council for approval prior to obligating town funds.
