Jacobs, the city’s wastewater operations contractor, presented its 2024 annual report to the council and highlighted safety, preventive maintenance and community engagement.

Regional manager Andy Rausch and sewer director Brian Masher described operations at the plant, noting more than 1,158 consecutive days with no recordable safety incidents and preventive maintenance above 90% over the last 12-month period — exceeding typical industry targets of roughly 80% preventative to 20% corrective maintenance. Jacobs listed staff changes, internships with Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) students, and a recent operator who advanced from trainee to licensed operator.

Jacobs said it provided more than 1,000 hours of technical support during the year that were not billed to the city and detailed community contributions including blood drives, support for the West Melbourne Police Department’s Elves Run, donations to the Central Florida Autistic Society, and backpack donations for students. The contractor reported participation in an FPL load management program that yielded about $43,000 in savings over 12 months and said it is pursuing recycling and material-reduction initiatives at the plant.

Council members asked about staffing and turnover; Jacobs said turnover had been higher in the past year (estimating roughly seven employees left, about half the site workforce) and cited a competitive local labor market. Jacobs and council discussed plans supporting the city’s upcoming reverse osmosis water treatment plant project and a planned BNR upgrade at the wastewater plant.