County public works says fairgrounds well drilling progressing; short-term waterline work likely under $10,000 while overall project may exceed small-works bids

Okanogan County public works staff briefed commissioners on progress at the county fairgrounds well and plans to run a short waterline and vault work to connect to the fairgrounds supply.

Staff said drilling and cleanout work is complete or near-complete, a larger well screen is scheduled to increase yield, and crews need to excavate to set a pitless adapter so the new pump can be pulled or serviced in the future. A public-works presenter said the immediate excavation and conduit runs should be manageable on a time-and-materials basis and likely "down below that $10,000 mark," but cautioned that project elements farther down the line could push the total above county small-works thresholds that trigger more formal bidding.

The presentation documented technical details discussed at the site: casing and screen sizes, the trade-offs between screen length and water volume, cable and pitless-connection requirements for accessing and removing pumps, and costs for additional screen sections (quoted in the meeting as roughly $3,200 per 6.5-foot screen). Staff noted heavy rock at depth and the need to install adequate screening to sustain higher yields.

County procurement policy was quoted during the update: projects under certain dollar thresholds may use simplified procurement or be awarded by department heads, while projects above a county-defined limit require broader competition and Board of Commissioners authorization. Staff said they had solicited three quotes and were awaiting one remaining response and would use the small-works or time-and-materials approach where allowable.

No final contract or award was made at the meeting. Staff asked for authority to secure needed excavation and materials to set the pitless adapter and complete the conduit and short-run connection to the office vault so the well and pump system align with the fairgrounds distribution infrastructure.

Public-works staff said they will return with updated cost estimates and any formal bid outcomes if the project moves past small-works thresholds and requires a Board action.