Soda Springs council approves Sunrise Engineering study, authorizes $39,700 city supplement

The Soda Springs City Council on April 15 approved hiring Sunrise Engineering to evaluate the city's electrical distribution and hydro assets under an Idaho Energy Efficiency and Conservation Grant and authorized a $39,700 city supplement to cover the full study.

Director of City Services Dan Squires said the grant awarded $50,000 for energy-efficiency work and that the city would add local funds to produce a full utility-system analysis and master plan. "The study has to be completed by September 30, 2026," Squires said. He told the council that Director Young would work closely with the consultant, and that grant funds include salary time for staff participation.

City Attorney Thomas Smith told the council he recommended minor contract changes to remove or limit broad indemnity language that could expose the city to unlawful liabilities if left unchanged. Smith said the edits would align the agreement with the city's legal constraints and the Idaho Constitution.

Councilman Ryan Carpenter moved to approve the Sunrise Engineering proposal and to authorize spending $39,700 to supplement the grant; Councilwoman Paige Byram seconded the amended motion. All members present voted in favor and the motion carried.

The contract and scope will separate grant-funded tasks from city-funded work in final deliverables so the grant covers the original grant scope and the city pays for the supplemental analyses. Squires said the study will examine substations, hydro plants and distribution lines and model implications of future growth.

Next steps: staff will finalize contract language per the attorney's recommendations and execute the agreement so Sunrise Engineering can begin work and meet the Sept. 30, 2026 completion requirement.