Evansville utility board approves 2025 water budget and multiple contracts, OKs large contract adjustments

The Evansville Water and Sewer Utility board approved the utility's 2025 water budget and a slate of contract awards, amendments and change orders after reviewing bids, engineering updates and staff recommendations.

The board voted to adopt the water budget after a presentation from Keith Penny, who said the utility's consolidated water and sewer revenue is budgeted at $167,000,000 (a 1.48% increase) and expenses at $165,000,000 (a 1.54% increase). Penny said the 2025 water revenue budget is $74,630,000 and water expenses are budgeted at $73,080,000; he noted breakouts of formerly combined accounts (for example, a new water-quality-services account) to improve transparency.

Staff presented several procurement and contracting items during the meeting. Benjamin Barnes introduced bids for annual 2025 concrete and asphalt patching for water and sewer repairs; the record shows a single listed bid from Jerry David Enterprises Inc. for $2,157,470. Barnes asked to take the bid under advisement for in-house review with city compliance and purchasing; the board approved that motion to take the bid under…