Council tables decision on WaterOne connection agreement after wide questions about costs and timing
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Summary
Spring Hill council discussed a proposed agreement to reimburse WaterOne for five connection points to interconnect the two water systems — estimated at about $245,542 — but voted to table the matter until the March 13 regular meeting to obtain firmer cost comparisons and contract terms.
SPRING HILL, Kan. — The Spring Hill City Council on Feb. 28 discussed a proposed agreement to have WaterOne contract for construction of five connection points between the WaterOne and Spring Hill water systems and to reimburse WaterOne for the work, then voted to table the item until the March 13 council meeting.
Jacob Spear, director of public works, said the physical work requires five connection points because the city currently has only a single 4‑inch feed connecting the two systems. He gave WaterOne’s estimate of $245,542.13 (rounded to approximately $250,000) as the anticipated cost to extend pipe and make the connections; under the proposal WaterOne would contract for the work and Spring Hill would reimburse actual costs.
Several council members expressed concern about cost certainty and the administrative arrangement in which WaterOne would bid and contract the work. Councilmember Dunn said the city had examined alternatives with the city’s current wholesale supplier (Miami 2) and did not receive favorable terms; she and other councilmembers asked for an apples‑to‑apples comparison of long‑term wholesale costs and for a not‑to‑exceed cap on the connection work before committing to the reimbursement arrangement.
Because the city’s wholesale water contract with Miami 2 expires in June, staff said there is limited time to establish a reliable alternate supply or consolidated operating arrangement. Staff and council agreed they needed firmer hard bids or a not‑to‑exceed figure from WaterOne or additional rate comparisons before moving forward; the council voted to table the matter to the March 13 meeting.
Key details - Scope: construction of five connection points between WaterOne and Spring Hill water systems; current single 4‑inch connection considered insufficient. - WaterOne estimate: $245,542.13 (staff rounded discussion to roughly $250,000); the city would reimburse WaterOne for actual costs per the proposed agreement. - Procurement/contracting: WaterOne proposed to contract the work to meet its specifications; the city would provide reimbursement and must front money for construction and seek reimbursement. - Timing pressure: the city’s wholesale water contract with Miami 2 expires in June; staff said work could be completed if scheduled promptly but time is limited.
Council action - Motion to table the agreement until the March 13 regular meeting: approved 3–0–0.
Ending: Staff committed to return to the March 13 meeting with more detailed, comparable cost information and firm pricing or a not‑to‑exceed figure to inform the council’s decision.
