Natural gas generator, light fixtures approved for new PD
By BENJAMIN C. SHARP bensharp@journal-spectator.com

When the Wharton Police Department opens for business in its new quarters on Richmond Road, it will have a state of the art generator capable of powering over half the town.

The Wharton City Council on Thursday approved a $128,680 bid for a natural gas generator. The bid, from Cummins Southern Plains, was the lowest of two received. The other was from Lighthouse Energy Services for $193,909.

Police Chief Tim Guin said seven packets were distributed to interested distributors, with just two returning with a bid. Guin was pleased Cummins had the lowest offer on the unit.

"This is the same company our other generators came from," he said.

The generator is seen as a critical item for the 1407 N. Richmond Rd. facility, which will house both the police department and the municipal court. An Emergency Operations Center - currently in the Wharton County Jail during a crisis - is also expected to be located at the site. The facility - which was formerly used by a power company - is said to be ideal for such an operations center as it is solidly built and was designed to accommodate a communications center.

City Manager Andres Garza Jr. said the new generator will carry enough potential to power the entire facility plus a portion of the city, though its unknown in what capacity that might be utilized.

City council earlier agreed to pursue bids on a natural gas model instead of a diesel unit, though the diesel generator would cost significantly less.

The gas alternative, city officials said, can be converted to run off propane, which can be stored for longer periods than diesel fuel.

"It (the natural gas generator) is going to cost more up front, but in the long run, your maintenance costs would be less," Garza said earlier.

Chief Guin said Thursday that what's eventually spent on the generator may be lower than what's been bid. Modifications to the unit's muffler housing can considerably lower the cost.

"We do have the opportunity to potentially lower that with a change order," Guin said.

The council unanimously accepted the bid from Cummins. The council also awarded a contract for lighting fixtures in the new facility. Wholesale Electric Supply was awarded the job with a bid of $41,360. Two other bids were received: Rexel for $42,155.83 and Mid-Coast Electric Supply Inc. for $45,500.