Kenosha water board awards two lead service-line replacement contracts totaling $4.61 million

The Kenosha Board of Water Commissioners on May 19 approved two contracts to replace lead water service lines, awarding a $3,419,825 large contract to 5 Star Energy Services LLC and a $1,190,420 small contract to Miller Pipeline LLC. Both awards were approved by voice vote.

A Water Department staff member told commissioners the two contracts cover the same work footprint in three districts and were sized differently to attract bidders of varying capacity. "It's all essentially the same scope of work," the staff member said. The staff member added the department issued two contract sizes so smaller firms with lower bonding capacity could bid on the smaller contract.

The board approved the minutes from its May 12 meeting at the start of the session before turning to the contracts. For the large contract (contract number 202506WForKWU2025), the board awarded the job to the lowest bidder, 5 Star Energy Services LLC, for $3,419,825. For the small contract (contract number 202507W for KWU20205), the board awarded the job to the lowest bidder, Miller Pipeline LLC, for $1,190,420.

Commissioners asked whether the two contractors would be working on different tasks or in different areas; the staff member replied the work is the same and the contracts were divided primarily to expand the pool of potential bidders. The staff member said there were many plan holders but only two bids for the large contract and three bids for the small contract.

Both contract awards and the minutes approval passed by voice vote with all five commissioners present voting aye. Vice Chair Anthony Kennedy was previously excused from the meeting.

The board adjourned after the votes.