Board hires Baker Tilly for 2025 performance audit and management study at not‑to‑exceed $125,000

Tampa Bay Water on July 21 approved a contract with Baker Tilly Advisory Group to perform the agency’s 2025 performance audit and management study in an amount not to exceed $125,000. The audit is required by the agency’s interlocal agreements every five years, staff said. Michelle Stump, chief of staff and chief strategy officer, explained the procurement and the selection: the agency received nine proposals and a staff selection committee recommended Baker Tilly as the top ranked firm. Baker Tilly principal Caitlin Umrickhouse described the firm’s approach: the study will be anchored to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Effective Utility Management framework (updated 2024) and will include data analysis, an employee survey, interviews and focus groups with board and member‑government representatives, peer benchmarking and a final implementation action plan. “There will be six key activities ranging from establishing a project steering committee and finalizing a work plan, to peer benchmarking and preparing an implementation action plan,” Umrickhouse said. Staff said the contract would begin immediately if the Board approved and deliver a final report and implementation action plan by February 2026. Board members supported the selection and emphasized timely, candid findings and actionable recommendations. The board recorded a unanimous vote to approve the contract.