California aldermen OK backhoe repair

The California Board of Aldermen authorized repairs and purchases of water and wastewater department equipment at its first regular meeting of 2017, held on Jan. 3, at City Hall.

Following a discussion about the cost estimates from several businesses for engine replacement of a backhoe used by the water department, the council authorized up to $9,000 for the engine replacement from Diesel Track Repair, Versailles.

The cost of a new backhoe to replace the broken-down one would range between $83,000 and $100,000. Although the backhoe is 15 years old and has about 9,000 hours on it, the new engine should allow it to be used for several more years, officials said. An additional point made by Water and Wastewater Supervisor Kyle Wirts, was that in its current non-running condition, the backhoe is worth about $2,500 as junk. Once it is operating with a new engine, it would have a trade-in value of $25,000 to $30,000.

The board also approved a bid for equipment for the South Sewer Treatment Plant. The bid from Enviro-Line Company Inc. of $18,185 was approved for a "scum pump" and a mixer. The scum pump is designed to pump scum off the top of the effluent so it doesn't create a gel and interfere with processing. The mixer keeps everything stirred so the scum pump can do its job.

It was reported that the board will take up bids for the sanitary sewer project at the next regular monthly meeting, at 7 p.m. Feb. 6, at City Hall.