Council approves 1-year water-sewer contract; members press for open RFP within a year

McCormick County Council on Sept. 16 authorized a one-year agreement with Clearwater Solutions (CWS) to operate and maintain the county’s water distribution and sewer collection systems, while also recording firm council commitments to run a future competitive procurement.

During a decision-item discussion, Councilman Chuck Cook proposed an amendment to make the authorization contingent on issuing a request for proposals for future contractual support by Feb. 1, 2026. Council members and staff responded that the current contract runs out this month and that a signed short-term agreement is needed immediately to avoid an operational gap. Cook withdrew the original contingency amendment and then proposed a separate motion: that council commit to issuing an RFP for future contractual support within the next year.

County staff said the one-year agreement uses essentially the same scope and dollar amount as last year’s contract and that legal language had been reviewed and revised prior to presentation. A council member said she had spoken with other council members and reiterated the county’s intention to run a competitive bid process “in a timely manner.”

Vote and outcome: the council voted to authorize the one-year contract with Clearwater Solutions; the motion carried despite recorded opposition from at least two council members, including Councilmember Barnes. The council separately recorded a commitment to issue a request for proposals for future contractual support within the next year.

Public comments and context: during the public-comment period, residents pressed for transparency and a plan for ongoing water-quality and pressure issues in Savannah Lakes Village and called for monthly updates until a concrete plan with dates and funding sources is in place. One speaker referenced a December 2024 Thomas & Hutton water-capacity update that identified about $20 million in projects; residents said they wanted a living plan with funding sources and quarterly town-hall updates.

What was decided vs. what was directed: the council’s action approved a short-term operating contract (formal action). Separately, council members gave direction and a public commitment to run a competitive procurement for longer-term support (direction), and several members requested more frequent and transparent reporting to residents while longer-term options are developed (discussion).

Quotes in context: Cook framed the procurement question in a motion that said, “This authorization is contingent upon the issuance of a request for proposals for any future contractual support for the water and sewer department no later than 02/01/2026.” After withdrawing that contingency, a council member said, “It is my commitment to the public that we will go through the competitive bid process, in a timely manner.”

Next steps: council members said they plan a workshop this fall that will include discussion of the water and sewer contract and that staff will publish updates; council also requested that the administrator and relevant utility stakeholders meet with county leaders to develop contingency planning and a living document laying out projects, funding sources and timelines.

Limitations and unresolved items: the council did not award a multi-year contract or adopt a long-term funding plan at the Sept. 16 meeting. Specific dates, procurement timelines and the full competitive‑bid schedule were not finalized during the meeting and were described as to be developed by staff and the administrator.