Council approves CIP amendments and awards wastewater solar contract valued at about $2.56 million

Bowmont’s City Council on June 2 approved a fourth amendment to the five‑year capital improvement plan that increases budgets for three projects and authorized related contract awards.

Staff said construction bids exceeded earlier estimates on the wastewater treatment solar generation project and recommended a cumulative increase of roughly $1.4 million, funded by approximately $850,000 in bond refinance proceeds and $550,000 from available sewer DIF, creating a new CIP budget of about $2.9 million for the solar project. Public‑works staff emphasized that market pressures—prevailing wages and strong contractor demand—drove the bid escalation and that the project will produce savings and revenue that offset wastewater operating costs over time.

Council subsequently awarded the construction contract for the wastewater solar generation project to the low responsive bidder (agenda motion referenced Motive Energy and the amount presented by staff, approximately $2,563,139) and approved a 10% contingency. Council also approved budget increases for storm drain inlet upgrades and an integrated alarm/camera system and authorized related public‑works agreements for other awarded projects on the agenda.

Council discussion included stronger use of constructibility estimates to reduce uncertainty on large projects and confirmation that bond proceeds must benefit ratepayers; staff said the solar project met eligibility requirements because plant benefits accrue to ratepayers.