Fort Pierce — The Fort Pierce Utilities Authority board approved a contract on Oct. 7 to purchase steel structures and associated design/fabrication for the Totten Substation expansion from Peak Substation Services LLC of Birmingham, Ala., for $562,871.43.

David Van Aken, electrical engineer, told the board the Totten Substation’s two existing transformers are operating near 81% of maximum capacity and that adding a third transformer is necessary to serve forecasted load growth and improve reliability in the southwest portion of the service territory. The contract covers materials and fabrication of foundations and structures to support the bus work and equipment; installation by the substation construction contractor is expected later (probable fiscal 2027). The steel structures are forecast to arrive later in the current fiscal year, with construction costs budgeted across FY2026 and FY2027.

The solicitation was posted on DemandStar; staff reported 51 vendors were notified, 19 requested specifications, two submitted proposals and one vendor responded with a “no proposal.” FPUA staff recommended Peak Substation Services LLC based on the lowest responsive price. The board also authorized the director of utilities to approve cumulative change orders up to $50,000 to avoid delays caused by statutory review timelines and meeting schedules.

Vote: The board approved the contract by roll call: Miss Bennett — yes; Miss Davis — yes; Miss Gibbons — yes; Mayor Hudson — yes; Chairman Fee — yes.

Ending: Staff said the substation structural materials will be delivered to support the Totten Substation third‑transformer project; final installation will be coordinated with the construction contractor and included in the FY2026–FY2027 capital budget.