Pewaukee council awards $201,945 DPW solar contract to Blue Sky Solar; expected net cost $134,071

The Pewaukee Common Council voted to award the Department of Public Works building solar contract to the lowest qualified bidder, Blue Sky Solar Company, for $201,945 and authorized staff to finalize the contract.

City staff told the council the project was expected to come in significantly under earlier estimates and that rebates should reduce the net cost to $134,071. "Expected net cost is $134,071," said Nick, the staff member who presented the bid results. He also said the city had budgeted more for the project and that rebates would be used where needed for other city energy projects.

Some council members asked how the project would be funded and whether leftover rebate or CARES/ARPA-derived funds would be repurposed. A council member asked whether the award would redirect quarantined COVID-era funds back into other city uses; staff said rebates have been returned to project accounts in the past and recommended using any additional funds for other city-wide energy efforts.

A separate line of questioning focused on the low bidder’s home state. "I just think it's odd that we're picking a low qualified bidder from two states away," said a council member, expressing concern about contractor proximity and future service. Nick responded that staff had checked references and found no objections: "I did hear back from one reference," he said, and that the city's contract requirements, including insurance, limited the ability to exclude a qualified bidder without a documented reason.

The motion to award the contract carried; at least one member voted "nay." Staff will proceed with finalizing the contract and applying expected rebates.

Price and funding details stated at the meeting: award amount $201,945; expected net cost after rebates $134,071; original budget estimates had been higher (staff cited prior estimates of roughly $325,000 to $450,000).