The Fort Dodge City Council awarded a contract Monday for the installation of backup generators at three water wells.
The council voted unanimously to hire K-W Electric, of Emmetsburg, to install the generators at a cost of $435,622.
City Engineer Chad Schaeffer said the work was estimated to cost $550,000.
''We're in good shape from a budget standpoint,'' he said.
The generators are intended to keep the pumps on the wells working during a power outage.
Other bidders for the project were Waldinger Corp., Des Moines, ($477,335); Bemrich Electric and Telephone, Fort Dodge, ($482,000); and NAI Electrical Contractors, Ames, ($532,000).
In other business, the council hired Andrew Midtling, of Webster City, to be a firefighter. Midtling is a paramedic at Trinity Regional Medical Center.
He will replace Ron Hedeen, who will retire Thursday after 34 years of service.
Also on Monday, the council gave final approval to a measure that will allow buildings along part of Fifth Avenue South to be up to 80 feet back from the road.