BDD updates operations and procurement plans; board elects chair and vice chair
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Summary
BDD staff reported January operations figures and facility project updates, described an ongoing design‑build feasibility study and forthcoming RFQ, and the board elected Councilor Jamie Cassatt as chair and a public member as vice chair (both votes recorded with abstentions).
The Buckman Direct Diversion Board on its monthly agenda heard an operations report, a facilities update on procurement and staffing, and held internal elections for chair and vice chair.
In the operations report, BDD staff member Matt said January 2026 average raw water diversions were about 5,080,000 gallons per day and drinking‑water deliveries through Booster Stations 4A and 5A averaged about 5,030,000 gallons per day. He also said raw‑water delivery to Las Campanas was 0 gallons per day for January (a typical winter pattern) and that the BDD contributed 47.4% of the city and county’s drinking water for the month.
Brad (BDD facilities manager) briefed the board on projects and procurement. He said the RFP for a control‑system upgrade is advancing and a vendor selection is expected within about a month, granular activated carbon replacement is scheduled to begin Feb. 23, and a design‑build request for information (RFI) was posted Jan. 21 with a 60‑day posting window while staff and consultants (AECOM, Whitewater, and the owner’s representative) complete a feasibility study and draft an RFQ. He also reported several recent successful hires and extended offers for operators, a chemist and an administrative manager.
Brad told the board that Senator Heinrich’s office has been in contact about proposed legislation to protect the Cajadillo corridor, where the Buckman facility sits; he said staff have provided facility location details and do not anticipate an operational impact from the protection effort.
The board spent substantial time discussing procurement process roles and transparency. Member Schmidt Peterson urged staff to present a summary of the alternatives analysis and the proposed engineering pathway before the RFQ, saying, "I would just like to have that discussion about the evaluation to date before that procurement process begins." Nancy (procurement staff) and other staff explained that city and state procurement rules limit what can be shared before a procurement and that the board will see the selection committee’s recommendation and contract award at the appropriate time. The board asked staff to prepare a milestone timeline and a summary‑level presentation (feasibility study results) at the March meeting to ensure board members and the public understand the alternatives considered.
On governance, the body accepted a nomination to elect Councilor Jamie Cassatt as chair for the coming cycle; the board recorded the nomination, a second, a voice vote in favor and a recorded abstention by Councilor Cassatt. The board also elected a vice chair (motion seconded) with the transcript recording abstentions by Councilor Cassatt and Commissioner Hank Hughes; the newly elected vice chair thanked the board and said they will work hard over the coming year. The board set its next meeting for Thursday, March 5 and then adjourned.
No formal contract awards or RFQ selections were approved at this meeting; staff said they expect to return with a feasibility summary and any procurement recommendations at upcoming meetings.
