November 10, 2023 |
Photo – Example of office lighting – Courtesy Axiom Power
Four buildings in Carbon County will be upgraded to modern LED lighting.
During Tuesday’s Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, Buildings and Ground Manager Jeff Askins presented the board with two quotes to install LED light fixtures in four county-owned buildings. Askins said Zumbrennen Electric and ROI Energy both provided quotes in the $31,000 range to replace the existing fluorescent lights in the Carbon Building, Rawlins Senior Center, Carbon County Museum, and the county’s maintenance shop.
Askins said Zumbrennen Electric offered the lower bid, but ROI Energy’s price includes deductions offered by Rocky Mountain Power for installing LED lighting. The buildings and grounds manager said Zumbrennen Electric didn’t include the same incentives in their proposal. Askins said if chosen for the job, the owner of Zumbrennen will work with Rocky Mountain Power to receive the discounts after the project begins.
Askins said $35,000 was set aside by his predecessor, Mike Newbrough, for the LED lighting upgrades.
Zumbrennen Electric is based out of Rawlins. Commissioner John Johnson asked Askins where RIO Energy is from. The buildings and grounds manager said he doesn’t know. Askins said in the past, the company has worked in the area.
Commissioner Johnson asked Askins which of the two contractors he recommends. Askins said he is impressed by the work Zumbrennen Electric has done.
The Carbon County Procurement Policy states that any project over $20,000 must have a formal bidding process. However, the policy states that the board can forego bidding if they feel it is in the best interest of the county.
Commissioner Johnson moved to waive the standard procurement process and accept Zumbrennen Electric’s bid of $31,012.19 for the county LED lighting project. Commissioner Travis Moore seconded, and the motion passed.
After the vote, Askins said that a truck had taken out an overhead electrical line used by Road and Bridge Coordinator Kandis Fritz. Askins said the owner of Zumbrennen Electric offered to repair the wire and move it underground for $2,397.23.
Askins said the money would come out of the general maintenance budget.
The commissioners agreed to have Zumbrennen Electric repair and bury the electrical line.
