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Kewanee council awards five‑year water and wastewater operations contract to incumbent Bock after brief bidding dispute
Summary
After review of three bids — including a lower bid from ION and a proposal from Illinois American Water to buy the system — the Kewanee City Council amended and approved a five‑year operations contract naming Bock Wastewater Treatment Contracting the operator; vote was 5‑0.
The Kewanee City Council on April 14 voted 5‑0 to award a five‑year contract to Bock Wastewater Treatment Contracting to operate the city’s water and wastewater treatment plants, following discussion of three proposals and concerns about vendor familiarity and local staffing.
Mayor Moore opened discussion of Bill 25‑31 by noting the city received three responses, including one from Illinois American Water proposing to purchase the system, and competing proposals from incumbent Bock and from ION Environmental Solutions. City Manager Gary Bradley described the procurement as an opportunity to weigh experience against cost and coordination with existing staff.
ION’s owner, present at the meeting, told the council his firm was familiar with Kewanee’s system, would be prepared to retain or hire existing plant employees and said that, based on current staff salaries, his offer could include a “significant raise.” Council members noted ION’s bid was about $400,000 lower than Bock’s but sought assurances about continuity of operations if staff did not remain.
Ryan Bockewitz of Bock Wastewater Treatment Contracting said his company has operated the facilities since they were built and emphasized institutional knowledge of the plants. “We have been working with the City since the facility was built,” he said, arguing that experience would reduce operational risk.
Councilmember Baker moved to amend the resolution to specify only Bock Wastewater Treatment Contracting; Councilmember Colomer seconded. The amendment passed 5‑0 and the amended resolution awarding the five‑year contract to Bock passed 5‑0.
Clarifying details provided at the meeting noted that one bidder (Illinois American Water) proposed purchasing the water system rather than providing only operations services, and that exact bid amounts other than the approximate $400,000 difference were not specified on the record. The approved contract term is five years.
The council’s stated rationale emphasized local continuity; members cited Bock’s longer history operating the plants despite a higher bid. The mayor and council did not provide a line‑by‑line cost comparison at the meeting and directed that procurement documents be processed accordingly.
Bill details: Bill 25‑31 (operation of water and wastewater plants) amended to name Bock Wastewater Treatment Contracting as operator and approved by council vote 5‑0.
The amended resolution takes effect following execution of contract documents and the usual administrative steps; the council did not indicate any further public hearings on the award.
