Forsgren contract on board agenda; commission seeks educational presentations and technology forum

County staff told the Douglas County Water Commission at its Jan. 27 meeting that the county board will consider final award of the water‑plan contract to Forsgren at its Jan. 28 meeting and that, if approved, staff and the consultant would schedule kickoff meetings with commission members.

“This is Katie for staff. The first item is just an update on the next steps for the water plan RFP contract,” staff said, explaining that the board will consider the final contract with Forsgren based on the commission’s recommendation and that staff will coordinate kickoff meetings with the consultant and the commission after board action.

Commissioners discussed how the commission will work with Forsgren once the contract is finalized. Sean Turner and Tricia Bernhardt asked whether subcommittees or working groups would be formed to divide tasks; Katie and other commissioners said that will be discussed during the kickoff and would involve the commission.

Staff also reported an unsolicited, post‑RFI submission from the Israeli national water company Mekorot (also referred to in meeting remarks as Makorot/Mekorat). Katie said the submission arrived after the formal RFI/RFP process and will be provided to the consultant and to county staff as additional information for consideration.

Several commissioners urged more frequent educational briefings at Water Commission meetings. Clark Hamelmann asked staff to schedule short, regular provider presentations, saying, “I would really like to see us or the staff schedule presentations for essentially every meeting.” Harold Smethals recommended inviting Mekorot for a technology briefing and suggested a separate technology forum or roundtable that would include large county providers. Commissioners suggested staff circulate topics and build a schedule; staff said it would create a SharePoint folder for legislative and informational materials and compile suggested presentation topics for future meetings.

Why it matters: the county water plan will help shape long‑term county strategy on supply, monitoring and technology. Commissioners emphasized education, outreach to large providers, and use of external technology providers as the consultant develops recommendations.

Next steps noted in the meeting: the board will consider the Forsgren contract at its Jan. 28 meeting; if approved, staff and Forsgren will schedule kickoff meetings with the commission. Staff will share the unsolicited Mekorot submission with the consultant and water providers and will begin compiling suggested presentation topics and a recurring educational slot on future agendas.