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Atlantic Beach council waives bidding to expedite replacement of Well No. 5
Summary
The Town Council unanimously approved purchasing a submersible pump for Well No. 5 and waived the local three-quote requirement so work can proceed ahead of summer demand; the submersible unit was the lower of two quotes. Engineering and permitting remain to be contracted.
Mayor Pro Tem Austin Waters moved and Councilmember Harry Archer seconded a motion to proceed immediately with a submersible pump and motor for Well No. 5 and to waive the Town's informal purchasing policy requiring three quotes. The motion passed unanimously, 5-0.
Town Manager John O'Daniel told the council that the pump and motor in Well No. 5 need replacement and that Magette Well & Pump provided two written quotes: a traditional pump and motor for $70,037.30 and a submersible pump and motor for $62,189.30. "It is not an emergency, as our other wells are still running and we have not reached peak summer demand," O'Daniel said, but he recommended expediting the replacement after a recent separate electrical short highlighted timing risks.
O'Daniel said the quoted prices do not include costs for engineering or State permitting assistance from Groundwater Management Associates. Because the total exceeds the Town's informal-purchase threshold of $30,000, local procurement normally requires three bids; O'Daniel asked Council to waive that requirement to avoid delays that could push the work past peak usage. Mayor Pro Tem Waters said moving forward now was the smart choice; Council voted 5-0 in favor.
The council directed staff to proceed with contracting the submersible unit and to return with information on engineering and permitting costs. No timetable for installation was specified at the meeting.
