Bids to construct the new wastewater treatment plant were over the anticipated amount, according to Ken Hayes, water and wastewater department superintendent.
Hayes presented the bids to the Pea Ridge City Council during the regular monthly meeting. The low bid was $7,143,100 from Huffman Construction LLC.. The project was anticipated to cost $5 million.
"We had three bidders; the projection was around $5 million," Hayes said.
Hayes said the engineer is reviewing the bid and they are considering options for reducing the cost, but also are planning to go back to the RDA for more money.
Hayes said employees are receiving additional training to be able to operate the new type of facility and one employee will be training at the Rogers plant for hands on experience.
"We basically will train two guys, the one operating 40 hours a week and the other guy for a backup."
"The bigger expense we'll see, and it's been budgeted for, is the cost of electricity and chemicals," Hayes explained. "We've been planning for it for a long time."
Hayes said a special City Council meeting would be needed to approve the bid.
City officials agreed to meet at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, for a special City Council Committee of the Whole to review the budget and may schedule a special Council meeting to approve the bid.
General News on 10/24/2018