DATE:
August 5, 2025
TO:
Chair and Board Members, Hesperia Water District
FROM:
Rachel Molina, City Manager
BY:
Cassandra Sanchez, Director of Public Works / City Engineer Jeremy McDonald, Water Operations Manager
SUBJECT:
Tesco Controls, Contract Amendment
RECOMMENDED ACTION
It is recommended that the Board of Directors of the Hesperia Water District (District) authorize the City Manager to increase the contract with Tesco Controls for $9,000 for a new not-to-exceed amount of $591,900 for the upgrade of hardware, software, and radio transceivers for the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) program.
BACKGROUND
SCADA is an automated and programmable system that continuously monitors and controls water operations by starting and stopping pumps that fill reservoirs and control water pressures. In addition, the SCADA system also sends alerts to operators via text message and/or phone call of alarm conditions such as critical reservoir levels, pressure fluctuations, or intrusions into the well site or booster station buildings. SCADA is a vital aspect of the District’s production, distribution, and sewer system.
At the Board of Directors meeting on August 15, 2023, the Board of Directors approved a $582,900 contract. The contract included the following line items and amounts for each service provided, along with a contingency of approximately five percent of the project total.
Hardware & Software - $394,635
Radio Transceivers - $162,855
Contingency - $25,410
ISSUES/ANALYSIS
Before completing the project in June 2025, Tesco Controls identified that the District’s existing redundancy system was outdated. The current system relies solely on analog telephone service to alert staff of issues or concerns within the District’s water network. Tesco Controls proposed an upgrade to a modern cellular-based system at an additional cost of approximately $9,000.
The proposed increase covers the purchase and installation of a cellular modem that will serve as a backup communication path in the event of an interruption to analog service. This ensures continuous delivery of alarm notifications to staff responsible for monitoring the SCADA system.
District staff approved this option for two primary reasons:
Enhanced Redundancy – The upgraded system allows dual communication through both analog and cellular channels, improving reliability during critical alerts.
Cost Efficiency – Tesco Controls was already onsite completing the installation of the contracted hardware and software, eliminating the need for additional trips or labor costs if the redundancy upgrade were deferred.
To capture these savings and strengthen the SCADA system’s reliability, staff authorized the $9,000 upgrade. With this addition, the total cost exceeds the original contract limit of $582,900.
CITY GOAL
Public Safety - Ensure public safety resources adequately protect our community.
FISCAL IMPACT
Sufficient funding is available within the FY 2024-25 Operating Budget.
ALTERNATIVES
Provide alternative direction to staff.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
City of Hesperia STAFF REPORT City of Hesperia STAFF REPORT City of Hesperia
STAFF REPORT
City of Hesperia
STAFF REPORT
Staff Report to the Board Members of the Hesperia Water District Contract to Tesco Controls, Inc., for SCADA Upgrades
August 5, 2025