Nixa council authorizes bids, contracts and bond framework for water and wastewater projects

NIXA, Mo. — The Nixa City Council on April 14 approved a series of contracts and authorized solicitations tied to a proposed bond issue that the city says will fund several large water and wastewater projects.

The council voted to award or authorize bids for sewer manhole lining and cured-in-place pipe work, to solicit bids for replacement valves and flow meters at the wastewater plant, and to solicit bids for the West Regional Lift Station and an Ashley Drive water tower that staff say are part of a bond package not to exceed $20 million. The council also approved contracts for security systems and fitness equipment at the new police facility.

Why it matters: The bond authorization and related contracts are intended to finance projects city officials say are necessary to serve expected growth and to replace aging infrastructure. Finance Director Jennifer E. told the council the projects in the bond package include an Ashley Drive water tower, a sludge-holding basin at the wastewater treatment plant and the West Regional Lift Station; she estimated the water tower at about $8 million, the sludge basin near $3.5 million and the lift station around $8 million, and said annual debt service would be roughly $595,000 to the water fund and $855,000 to the wastewater fund.

What the council decided

Votes at a glance (voice votes unless otherwise noted): - Resolution 2026-15 — Authorize contract with Advanced Rehabilitation Technology LLC to line 64 manholes (I&I program). Motion by Aaron Peterson; second by Kelly Morris. Outcome: approved. (Amount as read in the agenda packet: not clearly legible in the transcript.)

- Resolution 2026-16 — Contract with Smeico Contracting Group LLC for cured-in-place sewer lining services (CIPP). Motion by Mr. Vest; second by Mr. Ortiz. Outcome: approved. (Amount read in the resolution: $79,647.84.)

- Resolution 2026-17 — Solicit bids to replace valves and flow meters at the wastewater treatment plant. Motion by Miss Graham; second by Aaron Peterson. Outcome: approved.

- Resolution 2026-18 — Solicit bids for phase three of the Cherry Street stormwater drainage improvements. Motion by Aaron Peterson; second by Mr. Vest. Outcome: approved.

- Resolution 2026-09 (as listed) — Solicit bids for asphalt mill and overlay (approximately 4.5 lane miles plus parking lots). Motion by Mr. Vest; second by Sean Lucas. Outcome: approved.

- Resolution 2026-20 — Solicit bids for construction of the West Regional Lift Station (project intended to serve ~1,700 acres). Motion by Miss Graham; second by Sean Lucas. Outcome: approved.

- Resolution 2026-21 — Solicit bids for construction of a one-million-gallon composite water tower at 1323 Ashley Drive. Motion by Aaron Peterson; second by Kelly Morris. Outcome: approved.

- Resolution 2026-22 — Contract with NetWatch Incorporated to provide security cameras and access-control systems at the new police facility. Motion by Miss Graham; second by Sean Lucas. Outcome: approved. (Contract amount as read in the meeting transcript was unclear.)

- Resolution 2026-23 — Contract with Advanced Exercise LLC for fitness equipment at the new police facility. Motion by Darling Graham; second by Sean Lucas. Outcome: approved. (Contract amount as read in the meeting transcript was unclear.)

Details and notable remarks

- Sewer and I&I work: Assistant Water Superintendent Ronnie Keatley said the manhole lining and CIPP work continue the city’s infiltration and inflow reduction program that began in 2013. Keatley noted the city averages a similar number of manhole rehabilitations year to year and said staff is addressing defects found in camera inspections.

- Bond package and project sizing: Finance Director Jennifer E. said the bond ordinance would authorize up to $20 million and that the actual issue would likely be smaller depending on market conditions; the city structured the potential debt over 20 years. She provided the city’s high-level estimates for each project and offered to bring the city’s financial advisor or bond counsel to a future meeting for additional detail.

- West Regional Lift Station and Ashley Drive tower: Public Works Director Travis Cox said the lift-station project has required extensive design and easement work since 2022, has DNR approval, and will relieve capacity constraints at an Oakmont Heights station; the lift station is designed to serve about 1,700 acres of undeveloped land. Cox said bids for the Ashley Drive tower came back about 50% higher last year; staff revised plans and included the tower in the proposed bond package to bridge the funding gap.

- Police facility systems: Police Chief Joe Campbell told council the NetWatch contract covers internal and external cameras and access control points and will allow closer integration with the school system’s deployment. He said some licensing and ongoing costs are separate from the hardware contract. On the fitness equipment contract, Campbell said most items were available via state or cooperative purchasing and that the chosen vendor could supply both contract and non-contract items needed.

What’s next: Several items were first readings or authorizations to solicit bids; final contract awards and bond issuance will require future council action. Finance staff and project teams indicated they can provide more detailed cost breakdowns, bid results and bond counsel input at upcoming meetings.

Sources: Nixa City Council meeting transcript, April 14, 2026; presentations and statements by Jennifer E. (finance director), Travis Cox (public works director), Ronnie Keatley (assistant water superintendent), Joe Campbell (police chief).