SALINA, KANSAS — The Salina City Commission will consider awarding a $200,000 contract to Wildcat Painting, Inc. of Wichita, Kansas, for the Fire Hydrant Painting Project (No. 25017). The proposal covers sandblasting and recoating roughly 465 hydrants throughout the city.
The project targets hydrants showing significant wear, including chipped paint, rust, and faded coatings that can reduce visibility and performance during emergencies. Areas included in this round of work are Centennial, Oakdale, Indian Rock, Jerry Ivey, and the Salina Soccer Complex, as well as the northwest portion of the city and the Salina Municipal Golf Course.
Bids were opened on September 11, 2025, with Wildcat Painting submitting the lowest responsive bid at $430 per hydrant. Other bidders included Arrowhead Painting, LLC of Haysville ($550 per hydrant, nonresponsive due to missing bond) and Superior Contracting and Manufacturing Services of Salina ($1,000 per hydrant, nonresponsive). The engineer’s estimate for the work was $400 per hydrant.
Wildcat Painting has completed similar industrial coating and restoration projects for Barton Solvents, Evonik, and BG Products in Kansas. Work is expected to begin in spring 2026, with completion anticipated by October 15, 2026. Painting will be scheduled for warmer months to meet coating system temperature requirements.
Funding for the project is included in the 2025 Sub-CIP System Enhancements budget. Staff has recommended awarding the contract to Wildcat Painting and authorizing the City Manager to execute the agreement once all bid prerequisites are met.