Council accepts low bid from Tonto Construction for lagoon sludge removal; NTE $250,000 projected

The Muskogee City Council approved awarding sludge-removal work for Lagoon No. 2 at the water treatment plant to Tonto Construction after staff recommended accepting the lowest responsive bid.

Public works representative Mister Rigby explained the treatment-plant lagoon process and disposal options. He said the city sampled the permitted disposal site owned by Dan Leatherman and that the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) regulates disposal. "The lowest bid for the 11 mile haul was $13.49 from Tonto," Rigby said, and staff recommended acceptance with the understanding the council can change order the contract down to the $6.46/yd alternate if ODEQ grants approval for stacking/material use at the Port of Muskogee.

Rigby said the city budgets about $100,000 annually for this work, but because the pond is extra full this year staff requested a not-to-exceed amount of $250,000 to complete the job. Council asked about the wide variance in bids; Rigby noted differences in mobilization costs and whether bidders are local as primary drivers. Council voted to accept Tonto’s bid by roll call.

Action taken: Council accepted Tonto Construction’s low bid of $13.49 per cubic yard for the 11‑mile haul and authorized the procurement within the budgeted funds and a not-to-exceed amount of $250,000.