The Denton Public Utility Board on Jan. 27 recommended that City Council authorize the city manager to execute a contract with Industrial Power LLC under an interlocal cooperative purchasing arrangement, not to exceed $19,477,500 over a one-year base term with four optional one-year renewals.

Facilities and Fleet Services staff (identified in the meeting as Tom Green) described the Industrial Power contract as complementary to other capacity contracts and said it would permit purchases and provide repair services, including field service, body repairs, shop repairs and transportation services the city cannot perform in-house.

Staff said the contract was sized from historical spending and projected needs and that vehicles and services acquired under the contract would be used by multiple departments citywide to support infrastructure and operations. Board members asked whether Industrial Power is a current vendor; staff replied that the company is an existing vendor and has provided satisfactory service. Staff also explained that the contract pricing follows the cooperative program terms and would be itemized per cooperative pricing schedules.

Board members discussed overlap between this contract and the Bond Equipment contract considered earlier and confirmed the city intends to use multiple contracts to increase options for purchases and avoid lengthy lead times. Staff confirmed there is not an expectation to meet the not-to-exceed amount on every contract across the five-year period; rather the contracts provide competitive options and capacity to buy available equipment.

Staff noted that, once the new solid-waste fleet shop is complete, contractors will have a dedicated bay on-site to perform repairs, which the city expects will speed service turnaround. The board voted to recommend the ordinance; the motion to recommend approval was moved by board member Taylor, seconded by board member Neuquist, and passed unanimously. The recommendation will be forwarded to City Council for final approval.

Votes at a glance: motion to recommend approval — mover: Taylor; second: Neuquist; outcome: approved (unanimous).