9/4/2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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good news is that the bid is under our original expectation of $ 1 , 040 , 000 . In the future on these projects , we may find multiple bidders . In response to Commissioner Adams ' question, he felt it would not be appropriate at this time because he understood the membranes were at a point where they really need to be replaced and we may not get a better quote . In response to Commissioner Adams ' next questions , Operations Manager Gene Rauth advised that the membranes presently in use are 15 years old and the typical life is 10 years , so the life has been extended through the care of the operators . The funds are coming out of capital replacement funds which have been set aside toward the replacement of membranes . He further explained that the industry, as a whole , is going through a major growth in the state of Florida . Everyone is changing to reverse- osmosis rather than the former technology of surface water . There are significant construction projects throughout the state that have tied up suppliers and vendors . The addition of the plants down south as well as the desalinization plant in Tampa have provided a lot of work in the state and it is difficult to get people to come in and do the work now . The North County plant has been in operation about three years . If we take care of what we have , we should be able to go another 13 years on the membranes . The membranes at the South County plant are a higher- pressure technology which requires more energy , more pumping , and more electricity , so there is additional savings that we will get at the South County plant . He reminded the Board that a cost- analysis had been done by Camp Dresser & McKee ( CDM) that actually showed that the payback time is now . If we upgrade to the newer membranes , we will have additional savings . Vice Chairman Stanbridge credited the employees at the South County plant for having done a wonderful job . September 4 , 2001 96