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County approves award for Buck Creek–Coburn wastewater project after public support and local concerns
Summary
Tippecanoe County commissioners adopted Resolution 2026‑07‑CM to award the Buck Creek–Coburn wastewater public‑private (BOT) project to LAD A Services under a guaranteed maximum price of roughly $10 million; supporters described a multi‑year community effort while a resident raised concerns about a 45% cost reduction from earlier bids and the status of easements.
County commissioners approved a resolution to move forward with the Buck Creek–Coburn wastewater system under a public‑private partnership and to give the board president authority to execute the contract.
County staff member Doug explained the recommendation from the selection committee to award the project to LAD A Services with a guaranteed maximum price of $10 million and a preliminary project budget of $9,587,377 for the collection system, force main, gravity sewers and related work. The item was introduced as Resolution 2026‑07‑CM and opened for public comment before a formal vote.
Bill and Kay Miller, speaking for local supporters, read a letter from John Dong and described the work as a long, community‑led effort begun before 2020. They told commissioners the proposed gravity collection system with a lagoon and land application of treated water would be cost‑effective and a model for similar small rural communities, and credited local landowners and technical advisers for their roles.
Resident Stan Baker told the board he had several concerns about the procurement and project scope. "Looks like to me there was about a 45% reduction in cost and to me it raises a red flag," he said, questioning whether the earlier bidders were given an opportunity to rebid after scoping changes and whether all easements were in place. Staff responded that the BOT solicitation followed a requests‑for‑qualifications process, that market conditions and scoping differences can explain some cost variation, and that the selection committee was comfortable LAD Engineering (LAD A Services) could perform the work.
A commissioner moved to adopt Resolution 2026‑07‑CM as presented; the motion was seconded and the board approved the resolution by voice vote. The resolution awards the project to LAD A Services per the selection committee recommendation and authorizes the board president to execute the contract.
Next steps: staff will finalize the contract documents and proceed with the procurement/contract execution process; public commenters asked that the board and staff confirm easement status and project scope as the contract is finalized.
