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PWI approves multiple watershed contracts and funds a $300,000 study on water/sewer governance amid commissioner questions
Summary
The committee approved construction and maintenance contracts tied to sewer rehabilitation and water-system repairs and authorized up to $300,000 to study long-term water and sewer service-delivery options (including authority models); commissioners requested a clearer RFP scope and pre-briefings before Board consideration.
The DeKalb County Public Works & Infrastructure committee approved a package of watershed-related contracts and authorized county staff to allocate up to $300,000 for a study to examine long‑term options for water and sewer service delivery.
Items approved by motion included: award of construction-management services for the Shaw Creek trunk sewer Section One project (Agenda item 2026‑0241); a low-bid award for consent‑decree major gravity sewer-line capacity restoration (Agenda item 2026‑0277); a multi‑year contract for water valve and air valve replacement and repairs (Agenda item 2026‑0288); renewal of an annual rock‑crushing contract (Agenda item 2026‑0408); and a beverage-contract change order to supply bottled hydration products to field crews (Agenda item 2026‑0462). Each item was presented by Director Wells and the Office of Internal Audit review was cited as supporting the dollar amounts in the agenda materials.
Separately, commissioners discussed and approved a request to allocate up to $300,000 to contract for research and analysis of the county’s water and sewer functions (Agenda item 2026‑0478). The proposed study will evaluate whether long‑term service delivery is best achieved under the existing structure, through reorganization, by outsourcing parts of the operation, or by creating a water and sewer authority.
Commissioners sought a clearer scope and timing. "I would like to see just at least a better understanding of what the scope would be," Commissioner Shakyra Johnson said, asking for a written scope and for staff to brief all commissioners who were not present before the Board of Commissioners takes up the item. Several commissioners said they favor studying long‑range options but want the operational audit (Malden & Jenkins) and the RFP scope to inform the study. The committee voted to recommend approval with the requested pre‑briefings and an expanded scope description to accompany the proposal to the full Board.
Votes at a glance (committee level):
- Agenda item 2026‑0241 (Shaw Creek trunk sewer construction-management services): motion approved (motion moved and seconded; committee vote in favor). - Agenda item 2026‑0277 (consent‑decree major gravity sewer-line restoration): motion approved. - Agenda item 2026‑0288 (water valve & air valve replacement): motion approved. - Agenda item 2026‑0408 (rock crushing contract renewal): motion approved. - Agenda item 2026‑0462 (beverage contract change order): motion approved. - Agenda item 2026‑0497 (City of Tucker ADA plan extension): motion approved. - Agenda item 2026‑0478 (allocation up to $300,000 for water & sewer service delivery analysis): motion approved with direction to provide a detailed scope and pre‑briefings.
Staff said they will return with the draft scope and procurement approach; commissioners asked that the CEO or COO personally brief members who were absent before the Board acts on the allocation.
