LAWA board rejects short-term contract for outside administrative support; approves short extension for existing consultant

The Lake Agassiz Water Authority board voted down a motion to hire outside administrative support from Onstead Twitchell for 120 days with a $70,000 cap, then approved a separate 90-day extension for existing consultant Brent Bogart.

The proposal to retain Onstead Twitchell was moved by a board member advocating a 120‑day engagement to implement a short-term staffing plan and to begin developing longer-term organizational support. Supporters said the firm would provide organizational control and administrative support while the authority develops a staffing plan. Opponents called the timing premature, noting Garrison Diversion has provided extensive administrative, technical and legal support to LAWA historically and questioning whether the new expense was necessary at this stage.

Maureen Storstedt, City of Grand Forks finance director and co-chair of the Finance Advisory Committee, told the board the finance committee had recommended a short-term staffing approach and that cost‑share assumptions were included in the preliminary budget. Board members pressed staff on whether a memorandum of understanding or a fiscal note existed; staff replied no formal cost estimate or MOU had yet been finalized.

After debate and an amendment to cap the Onstead Twitchell engagement at $70,000, the board took a roll-call vote and the motion failed. Recorded votes in the roll call included: Eltoff (yes), Bigwood (yes), Potchenski (yes), Broussard (yes), Karlsruhe (no), Dardis (no), Erdmann (no), Idzo (yes), Mahoney (yes), Meyer (no), Nielsen (no), Schmaltz (no). Chair declared the motion not carried.

Shortly afterward the board approved an addendum task order extending services by Brent Bogart up to $66,000 to cover administrative and related support through Dec. 30. That motion passed on roll-call and was recorded as carried.

Why it matters: The staffing debate reflects tensions about when LAWA should shift from relying on long-standing partners such as Garrison Diversion toward separate administrative capacity. Opponents cited cost and timing concerns; supporters argued a temporary contract would create capacity to develop a long-term staffing plan.

What’s next: Staff said a more detailed task order and staffing plan will be returned to the board for further review in January/February. The defeated motion leaves LAWA continuing with Brent Bogart’s services under the approved short-term extension.

Direct quotes

"We took it back from the finance committee meeting... Fill in, like, work with Brent in an advisory capacity, provide organizational control, and then provide admin support," said a staff representative describing the Onstead Twitchell proposal.

"I thought this was probably about five years premature that we actually hire an executive director," said a board member who opposed the motion, urging continuing coordination with Garrison Diversion.

Ending

The board asked staff to return with a clearer fiscal note and a task order describing scope and cost before coming back with any new contract for short-term staffing.