Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Utilities Wastewater topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Preston delays decision on wastewater operator contract, asks firm to refine startup and staffing plan
Summary
After reviewing bids from Mountain West Water Works to provide class 4 operators for Preston's $70 million wastewater plant, the council asked the firm to produce a lower-cost hybrid plan and tabled action for two weeks to negotiate roles with city staff.
Facing a DEQ requirement and an approaching loan deadline, the Preston City Council on Tuesday paused a decision to hire Mountain West Water Works to operate and staff the city's new wastewater treatment plant, asking the company to return with a reworked proposal that reduces startup costs and clarifies which routine tasks city staff can perform.
City officials and Mountain West representatives described two cost elements: a start-up staffing and oversight package (presented to council at about $11,350 per month in the proposal) and a lower monthly operations fee once the plant is fully commissioned (the packet shows a reduced monthly figure once in operation). Council members said the startup figures were higher than they anticipated and asked for a hybrid model that uses city staff where feasible and outside contractors only as needed.
Mayor (name not specified) told the council the U.S. Department of Agriculture informed the city that the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) expects the city's interim loan to be closed and paid by Aug. 28. Council members and staff said Keller Engineering's schedule calls for a six-to-eight-month startup period followed by transition to routine operations, and that DEQ will require class 4 certified operators for permit compliance.
Greg (last name not specified), representing Mountain West Water Works, said the firm's start-up quote "was based off of the scope of work that was provided by Keller Engineering" and added that the company included the required collection-system license in the start-up scope. In response to council cost concerns, Mountain West explained its quoted hourly and mileage rates reflect company overhead, specialized subcontractors and vendor relationships, and travel/time costs rather than direct employee wages.
Councilmember Brent Dodge walked the council through a comparison he prepared using industry salary sites and argued several line-item markups and hourly rates in the proposal were higher than local market norms. "$11,000 a month?" Dodge asked during the discussion, urging the vendor to seek competitive reductions and suggesting the council solicit other bids if necessary.
City staff and Mountain West representatives agreed on a practical compromise: have Mountain West work with city staff (including Justin and Matt Foster) to identify routine tasks city employees can handle and let Mountain West supply class 4 coverage and specialized support for startup and the small portion of work above city staff skill levels. Councilmembers asked the vendor to return with a revised, lower-cost proposal and gave them two weeks to negotiate details with staff.
The council then voted to table the decision for two weeks so the company could "sharpen the pencil" on costs and present a hybrid staffing plan that maximizes use of city personnel during operations while meeting DEQ class 4 requirements. Council members reiterated the plant is a long-term commitment: the facility cost is about $70 million, and operating decisions will influence future sewer rates and long-term affordability for residents.
