Edmore council cancels long-term water tower contract, creates maintenance fund

The Edmore Village Council voted unanimously Dec. 8 to cancel a 10-year maintenance contract with USG for the village water tower and to reserve the funds formerly dedicated to that contract for a new water tower maintenance account.

Council member McParland, citing the village staff recommendation and that the original contract’s painting scope was complete, moved to end the USG contract and return to using Dixon or similar contractors on an as-needed basis. "Based on the village staff’s recommendation and the fact that the contract was a 10 year contract meant to get the water tower painted and we completed that painting, the utility committee recommends cancelling the contract with USG," McParland said. Colburn seconded the motion. The roll call vote was Colburn, Griswold, Kanine, McParland, Moore, Pierce and Guild — yes; motion passed 7-0.

Manager Mark Borden told the council the utility committee recommends that money formerly paid under the contract be deposited into a water tower maintenance fund and that the tower be inspected within a year of painting. The council agreed to revisit the arrangement in a couple of years to assess whether the new approach saves money.

The council’s action is procedural and financial; it cancels the standing contract and reallocates budgeted funds for future maintenance work rather than authorizing a specific new contractor or project scope. The decision does not itself obligate funds to any vendor until the council or authorized staff approves individual maintenance work.