© 2024 88.9 KETR
Public Radio for Northeast Texas
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Still no new emergency power generator for the Commerce wastewater treatment plant

By Kevin Jefferies

Commerce – Still no new emergency power generator for the Commerce wastewater treatment plant. The city is under orders by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to have emergency power available at the plant, but the old generator has been shot for some time.

Low bid for a new generator, including installation, came in at just over $80,000, but a motion to accept the bid failed by a 3-2 vote in regular session Tuesday night. John Sands, Billie Biggerstaff, and Hector Arce voted against accepting the bid, with Penny Belcher and Mayor Sheryl Zelhart voting to accept the bid.

Some council members were concerned that staff had not looked into other options thoroughly enough. In particular, the feasibility of buying used generators staff had located at a price of $10,000. City staff did not recommend the used generators because they were under no warranties or guarantees, and while the $10,000 price tag seemed like a major difference, the city would still have to foot the bill for inspection, shipping, installation, and repairs if necessary; and after that, they would have an old piece of equipment.

Staff was directed to gather more info on costs associated with buying the used generators, with the Commerce City Council discussing the issue further in a special workshop two weeks from now.