Fuquay Varina approves wastewater chemical contracts and awards $1.84 million street resurfacing contract

The Fuquay Varina Town Board on Nov. 8 approved competitive contracts for wastewater treatment chemicals and awarded the fiscal year 2026 street resurfacing contract to Barnhill Contracting Co. in the amount of $1,844,502.

Public Utilities Director Mike Wagner told the board the town solicited bids to meet National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements at two wastewater plants and "received 12 responsive bidders," although two potential low bidders later withdrew during validation. Wagner said staff recommended one-year contracts, with renewal options for up to three additional one-year periods, and identified suppliers and chemicals proposed for each plant.

Tracy Stevenson, Public Works director filling in for Asa Utterback, presented the resurfacing item for Project 25-01 and said the town bid roughly 6 miles grouped across seven areas. "The low bidder was Barnhill Contracting in the amount of $1,844,502," Stevenson said, adding that the engineer's estimate had been approximately $2,450,000 and that current pricing was favorable. Stevenson told the board the project includes ADA ramp upgrades and that the bid package combined work across two fiscal years to achieve economies of scale.

Funding for the contract will use $1,200,000 budgeted in the Powellville allocation and an appropriation of $644,502 from the Powellville fund balance, according to the presentation.

Both contract awards were approved by voice vote. The wastewater chemical contracts authorization directs the town manager to execute agreements with the recommended suppliers; the resurfacing award authorizes contract execution subject to the town attorney's review.

What happens next: The manager's office will finalize contract documents and complete attorney review before execution, and public works will schedule the resurfacing work and coordinate ADA ramp upgrades.

Vote record and procedural note: The transcript records voice votes with "aye" responses and the board announcing the motions carried; no roll-call tallies with individual member votes were reported in the meeting record.

Authorities and procurement details: The utilities presentation listed suppliers recommended for specified chemicals; the resurfacing presentation recorded seven responsive bids, a low bid of $1,844,502, and the use of Powellville funds to cover the difference from the budgeted amount.