Bradenton council approves amendment to outsource wastewater collection operations to Woodard & Curran
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Summary
Council approved Resolution 25‑100 authorizing an amendment to the city’s operations‑and‑maintenance agreement with Woodard & Curran to add the wastewater collection system; city staff said the move will add technical capacity while aiming to limit rate impacts. The measure passed unanimously.
The Bradenton City Council on Nov. 12 approved Resolution 25‑100, authorizing an amendment to the city’s operations‑and‑maintenance agreement with Woodard & Curran to extend outsourced services to the wastewater collection system.
City staff member Mister Perry presented the proposal as an extension of an existing contract that currently covers the wastewater treatment plant. Perry said the collection system comprises roughly 185 miles of gravity mains (6–30 inches), about 64 pump/lift stations and roughly 4,200 manholes, and that the city faces immediate capital and operational needs. He described recent capital work at the treatment plant — including a nearly complete clarifier project valued at about $16,000,000 and a temporary equalization tank able to store 3,000,000 gallons — and said those investments, plus improved asset management, are why the administration seeks expanded outside expertise.
"We operate at a loss," Perry told council while reviewing fiscal statements for the utility, citing accounting items such as depreciation and the need to balance operating expenses with capital planning. He added that the city is conducting a rate study and that the contract "should not affect rates significantly" because the proposed budget with the contractor is only modestly higher than current costs. The staff presentation compared the city’s existing budget for collections and mechanical services (about $4.2 million) with the proposed contract budget of roughly $4.57 million.
Council members asked detailed questions about employee impacts, service branding and the separation between stormwater and wastewater responsibilities. Perry and Woodard & Curran representatives said the firm typically tries to “keep the employee whole” on transitions, by recognizing certifications and service time — and noted that in prior transitions staff often saw raises or other opportunities. On how contractor crews would appear in public, Perry said shirts and vehicles would bear both a city patch and a Woodard & Curran mark so residents would recognize the partnership.
Supporters said outsourcing operations would free city staff to focus on capital improvements and long‑term planning. Perry noted significant grant and State Revolving Fund (SRF) funding opportunities the city is pursuing and reiterated that the contract is operations and maintenance only — the city will retain ownership of its infrastructure and continue to finance capital projects.
After the public hearing and discussion, Councilmember Coker moved to approve Resolution 25‑100 and authorize the mayor to execute Amendment 1 to the operations and maintenance agreement with Woodard & Curran; the motion was seconded and carried 5‑0.
Votes at a glance: Resolution 25‑100 — approve amendment to O&M agreement with Woodard & Curran. Motion: approve and authorize mayor to execute amendment; seconded; outcome: approved 5‑0.
What’s next: City staff will finalize contract exhibits, integrate the contractor into operations and continue the city’s rate study and capital planning work.
