Soda Springs declares emergency, authorizes up to $337,932 for water-line repair beneath railroad

Mayor Paul Gritton and the Soda Springs City Council declared an emergency March 20 to replace a failing main water line under Union Pacific railroad tracks and authorized immediate contracting to avoid higher future costs and potential service losses.

Director of City Services Dan Squires told the council the leak, identified about 18 months ago, runs beneath the railroad and feeds the north-south supply. Squires said the city can replace the line from the prior bore to East Hooper Avenue using new plastic pipe that will eliminate the current leaks and simplify connection to the older steel main. Squires estimated the leak "exceeds 5 gallons per minute," and said contractor rates are roughly $600 per foot now but would rise to "over $900 a foot" if the work is delayed.

"If it fails under the railroad, it could be devastating," Squires said, describing risks to potable water and fire-protection service if the century-old line deteriorates further.

Councilman Mitch Hart moved to adopt a resolution declaring an emergency, to waive the formal bidding process given the circumstances, and to authorize the Director of City Services to contract with A+ Contractors for up to $337,932 to proceed promptly and coordinate the work with the Idaho Transportation Department project on Second South/Highway 30. Councilwoman Paige Byram seconded the motion.

City Attorney Thomas Smith advised the council on legal findings and permitting. Smith stated the line was installed in 1951 (about 75 years old) and noted the encroachment permit for work in the right-of-way had cost roughly $25,000 and an additional $10,000 for expedited review; that encroachment permit is set to expire July 9. Smith offered to assist with resolution language and confirmed the public-safety risks cited by staff.

After Hart amended the motion to incorporate the findings set out in Resolution 2026-4, the council voted: Hart, yes; Larsen, yes; Byram, yes. Councilman Ryan Carpenter was absent; Attorney Smith explained Carpenter's absence was related to his employment with A+ Contractors and therefore he did not participate to avoid a conflict of interest. The motion carried and the council authorized the contract. The special meeting was then adjourned.

The council record indicates the resolution and minutes were passed and approved April 1, 2026, with attestation by the city clerk. No additional appropriation details, contractor scope-of-work documents, or a construction schedule were provided in the March 20 transcript.