Alto council approves emergency purchase of water pumps after staff warns of imminent service loss

The Alto City Council on Nov. 3 voted to approve an emergency purchase of two water pumps and a control panel for the FM 752 water plant, authorizing the expenditure at a cap of $17,000 to restore pumping capacity and meet Texas Commission on Environmental Quality requirements.

A staff member told the council, "The reduced pumping capacity poses an imminent threat to public health and safety due to the risk of loss of water service to city residents and critical facilities." The staff presentation said the plant operates with two pumps, one was out and the second was operating at about 39 PSI (staff said ideal pressure is 55–60 PSI with a minimum of 35 PSI). The failing pump required resetting about five times per day, and the condition put about 22 customers at risk of service interruption.

Council discussion focused on the need to act immediately because the pumps were in stock but normal procurement would delay repairs by about a week and the projected purchase exceeded administrative purchasing limits. Mayor Pro Tem Carey Palmer moved to approve the purchase "of 2 pumps and a control panel not to exceed the purchase amount of $17,000.00." Councilwoman Debra Grimes seconded the motion; the council approved it 4 yeas, 0 nays. Mayor Jimmy Allen was absent.

The council invoked the emergency meeting authority in Texas Government Code Section 551.045(b)(1) to address the imminent public-health threat. Staff said the parts were available and that, once ordered under emergency authority, delivery was expected to take about one week. The council did not specify additional funding sources in the minutes; funding details were not specified.

The meeting adjourned at 6:09 p.m. after Councilwoman Shamonica Johnson moved to adjourn and Councilman Luke Johnson seconded; that motion also passed 4–0.