City council was happy to learn the cost of installing a complete mechanical heating ventilation air conditioning system at city hall is coming in $170,000 less than originally budgeted.

When requests for proposals were submitted to the city they varied in price, three falling below the anticipated $400,000 cost of the project.

At its regular meeting on July 17, council approved awarding the contract locally to Horizon Climate Control for its bid of $227,520. Other local bidders were Burgess Plumbing and Heating at $241,602 and RL7 Mechanical Ltd. at $270,000.  Nelson-based Trainor Mechanical Contractors Ltd. came in at $500,000.

“I’m glad to see it come under budget and that it’s gone to a local business,” Coun. Danica Hughes said.

Coun. Surinderpal Rathor asked if there was any reason for the difference between the cost and the estimated cost.

Operations manager Geoff Goodall said the original cost was estimated through the city’s engineering department.