The Sweetwater City Council voted Oct. 13 to award construction Contract B for wastewater collection system improvements — a project funded through the Texas Water Development Board Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (project no. 73892) — to the low bidder, contingent on final agency approval.

City public-works staff said the work will replace a 6-inch sewer line on Crane Street from 12th Street to 5th Street and replace a sewer crossing on Neff and Lewis Front Street. In the staff presentation, Justin said the city received three bids: Bonke (Bonkke/Bonnke in the transcript) Brothers Construction at $624,635; Boat Simon at $844,055; and Darnell Construction at $1,206,825. Staff recommended awarding the contract to the low bidder, and the council approved the award contingent on Texas Water Development Board approval.

The action matters because the project addresses aging wastewater infrastructure on Crane Street and at a sewer crossing identified by staff. The project’s funding source—TWDB’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund—requires agency concurrence before the city may finalize the contract and proceed to construction.

Council members recorded the motion and second and approved the award by voice vote; the transcript does not list individual voter names or a numerical tally. City staff said the award is contingent on TWDB approval; staff will return to the council with executed contracts and a notice to proceed after that approval.

Clarifying details reported by staff:
- Project: Wastewater collection system improvements, TWDB DWSRF project no. 73892.
- Scope: Replace 6-inch sewer line on Crane Street (12th to 5th) and replace the sewer crossing on Neff and Lewis Front Street.
- Bids received (as reported in the meeting): Bonnke Brothers Construction — $624,635; Boat Simon — $844,055; Darnell Construction — $1,206,825.
- Award: Recommended to Bonnke Brothers Construction (low bidder); award contingent on TWDB approval.

City staff listed follow-up steps including obtaining TWDB approval, executing the contract and returning to the council with required documentation. No public comments on the contract were recorded during the meeting.