Waukesha Water Utility approves $11.82 million in 2026 blanket purchase orders

The Waukesha City Water Utility Commission approved a slate of 2026 blanket purchase orders totaling $11,820,478 that will allow recurring purchases from designated vendors through the year.

Staff presented the list as routine, budgeted procurement and asked the commission to "approve the attached blanket purchase orders for 2026, totaling $11,820,478," said Courtney (staff member). The list includes a $3,200,000 line for purchase of water, office furnishings for the new operations center, security hardware and support from Castle View Technologies, SCADA-related items, and fleet replacements including a Ford F-550 chassis. Staff also asked to retain AB Data for mailing and bill processing while the utility transitions billing systems.

"Just so that everyone recognizes that, 3,200,000.0 is for purchase of water," a committee member said during the discussion. Staff confirmed most amounts are already included in the approved budget and that the utility will continue to use competitive procurement practices when appropriate.

During discussion, staff noted certain vendors were carried forward from prior years and that a few additional items were added for the operations center build-out. Staff said AB Data was retained last year for continuity of mailing and processing and that competing quotes received recently were higher than AB Data’s pricing.

The commission approved the blanket purchase orders by voice vote; the mayor later said he opposed at the voice vote. Staff will execute purchases within the budgeted amounts and return to the commission if any spending would exceed authorized thresholds.

The approval covers recurring operating needs for 2026; specific purchase orders under the blanket authorizations will be executed or brought back for separate approvals if they exceed the utility’s spending limits.