Council hears urgent public-works update after pump repair estimate jumps to $13,000

Shoreacres city manager Troy told the council that a grinder pump the city had planned to rebuild will cost significantly more than expected and that replacing it would exceed his spending authority.

"It was $8,450 to repair it, but I got a call Friday that the additional damage was gonna bring that cost to, just over $13,000 to repair a pump... To replace that with the brand new pump is going to be $13,174," Troy said. Because the amount is greater than $10,000, he said he cannot approve the purchase without council action and recommended a second council meeting this month to consider the repair and other immediate needs, including an estimated $3,000 Vactor truck call-out to clear a sewer line.

The manager described recurring failures in the system caused by fabric and diapers wrapping around pumps and said the city now buys grinder pumps that better handle solids. He also explained why the existing 3-inch pump has lasted but is inadequate: "It's the difference of a bunch of money... I recommend... we replace it with exactly what's in there. That's for $13,174, but I'll bring that, in 2 weeks," Troy said. Council agreed to schedule an extra meeting, set for Jan. 26, to take up the item.