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Council weighs deferring part of wastewater screen project; staff warn of higher costs if phased
Summary
Staff proposed phasing the wastewater screening project to defer $750,000 into FY27. Consultants said delaying part of the project could raise costs by an estimated 10.83% in a year and increase mobilization expenses, potentially eroding the near‑term budget benefit.
As part of FY26 budget tradeoffs, staff proposed buying only one of four required wastewater screens in FY26 (the core screen) and deferring three fine screens to FY27 to produce a one‑year budget relief of roughly $750,000.
Project consultants and public works staff warned that breaking the project into phases would create additional costs. A consultant told council the estimated escalation if a portion is delayed by one year is about "10.83%" and that repairing the project into separate procurements would add mobilization and other per‑project expenses. Public works staff stressed that fine screens protect expensive filtration membranes previously purchased and that choosing which screen to defer requires consultant guidance and DEQ feedback.
Councilmembers debated the financial arithmetic: some argued that deferral creates nominal near‑term savings; others said those savings would be paid back via escalation and added costs and that delaying could risk regulatory or operational problems. Staff said they were awaiting DEQ input on regulatory implications and would return with more precise cost comparisons.
