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City commission approves Woodard & Curran to operate Winter Springs utilities under cost‑plus contract
Summary
The City of Winter Springs approved a contract with Woodard & Curran to operate the city’s wastewater and reclaimed‑water systems under an open, actual‑cost-plus‑fee model, after staff described transition plans and commissioners pressed for reporting and regulatory protections.
The City of Winter Springs City Commission voted 4‑1 on Sept. 8 to approve a contract with Woodard & Curran to run wastewater and reclaimed‑water operations, switching from the city’s current operator and starting transitional services immediately.
City Director of Public Works and Utilities Clete Saunier told commissioners the contract is “an actual cost contract,” adding it is structured as an “open transparent, cost actual cost plus fixed fee” arrangement intended to discourage the problems staff say can arise under fixed monthly payments. He said Woodard & Curran spent days inspecting city facilities, will begin transitional services the day after approval and will assume full operational control Oct. 1.
Saunier said the vendor will recruit locally, supply equipment and vehicles that ultimately will become city property under the contract’s buyout schedule, and that staff will verify monthly invoicing. “Everything that we get, we pay for. There’s no hidden costs or hidden fees,” he said.
Commissioners pressed staff and the contractor on regulatory reporting, historical pollution incidents, and liability. Commissioner Victoria Bruce cited past wastewater spills and consent orders and asked, “Who is responsible for reporting issues such as spills to the DEP and to the city staff and commission?” Saunier and city staff said the contract sets operational reporting and performance standards, and that immediate verbal notification to a city liaison will be required with written notice filed in short order. Director Saunier said the city and contractor will meet weekly during transition and monthly thereafter, and the annual contract review will reflect ongoing reporting.
Brian Donegan, director of administrative services and operations, said the city intends to maintain an “interactive dialogue” with the service provider and to evaluate risk and facility capacity before approving any additions to services. Donegan described precedent for donating surplus city computers to local nonprofit refurbishers if the senior center needs equipment.
Commissioners also asked about repair cost limits in the contract. Bruce pointed to a clause capping Woodard & Curran’s responsibility for repair costs at $5,000 in some cases and said the city’s aging facilities may trigger higher expenditures. Saunier acknowledged the concern and said unforeseen conditions may raise near‑term costs while long‑term construction and upgraded plants are expected to reduce operating costs over time.
Commissioner Paul Diaz moved to approve the contract as recommended by staff; Commissioner Sarah Baker seconded. The roll call vote recorded Bruce, Baker, Deputy Mayor Mary Kate Resnick and Diaz as voting yes and Commissioner Paul Caruso as voting no. The motion passed.
Saunier said the city will verify contractor time and material invoices, hold weekly and monthly coordination meetings during the transition and use the contract’s performance standards as the basis for oversight.
The contract includes transitional purchases of vehicles and equipment; Saunier said those assets become city property at the end of the contract or on termination, subject to the contract’s termination schedule.
