Background:

Water-Sewer Districts.

Special purpose districts are limited purpose local governments separate from a city, town, or county government. Water-sewer districts (districts), a type of special purpose district, are created to further public health and safety and to furnish water, sewerage, and drainage services to persons within and without the district. Districts have many statutorily enumerated powers, including the power to construct, condemn and purchase, maintain, and operate waterworks, systems of sewers, systems of reclaimed water, and systems of drainage.

Districts–Contract and Competitive Bidding.

All work ordered by a district, which has an estimated cost in excess of $20,000, must be let by contract and competitive bidding. Notice calling for bid proposals must be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the district. Competitive bidding requirements may be waived if an applicable exemption applies to the work. Contracts let by competitive bidding must be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder. Alternatively, a district may let contracts using the small works roster process.

Municipal Water Systems.

Cities and towns may provide for the sewerage, drainage, and water supply of a city or town, and may establish, construct, and maintain water supply systems and systems of sewers and drains within or without their corporate limits.

First Class Cities.

A first class city may contract for public works pursuant to public notice and a call for competitive bids. Subject to limitations, a city may also have public works performed by city employees or a county. "Public works" means all work, construction, alteration, repair, or improvement other than ordinary maintenance, executed at the city's cost.

A city may not have public employees perform public works projects: (a) in excess of $90,000, when more than a single craft or trade is involved; or (b) in excess of $45,000, when a single craft or trade is involved, the project is street signalization, or the project is street lighting. The competitive bidding requirements for a city may be waived by the city legislative authority if an exemption applies to the work or contract. The city may also let contracts using a small works roster process.

Statute also exempts specific service contracts from contract and competitive bidding requirements: (1) the selection of persons or entities to construct or develop water pollution control facilities or to provide water pollution control services; and (2) the selection of persons or entities to construct or develop solid waste handling facilities or to provide solid waste handling services.

Second Class Cities.

A second class city must use contract and competitive bidding for public works when the estimated cost of the work or improvement: (a) exceeds $65,000 and more than a single craft or trade is involved; or (b) exceeds $40,000, and a single craft or trade is involved, the project is street signalization, or the project is street lighting. Public works below these thresholds may be let by contract or day labor without calling for bids. "Public works" means all work, construction, alteration, repair, or improvement other than ordinary maintenance, executed at the cost of the city.

When a contract is subject to competitive bidding requirements, the city must publish notice calling for sealed bids and let the contract to the lowest responsible bidder. In lieu of other contract procedures, the city may also let contracts using a small works roster process.

Towns.

Towns are authorized to contract for supplying water for municipal purposes, and to acquire, construct, repair, and manage pumps, aqueducts, reservoirs, or other works necessary or proper for supplying water for use of the town, its inhabitants, or irrigating purposes. In letting contracts, towns are authorized to use the same procedures as second class cities.

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Summary of Bill:

Municipalities and water districts are authorized to negotiate a fair and reasonable water storage asset management service contract. Services provided under the contract may include inspection, cleaning, maintenance, repair, and testing of the water storage asset. A "water storage asset" is defined as water storage structures and distribution systems, such as a water tank, tower, well, meter, or water filter.

Under the new procurement procedures, the municipality or water district:

must publish their requirements to procure asset management services;
may negotiate a fair and reasonable service contract with the firm that submits the best proposal that meets procurement requirements;
may terminate negotiations if the municipality is unable to negotiate a satisfactory service contract with the firm; and
may select another firm and continue negotiations until a contract is reached or the selection process is terminated.

If the municipality or water district chooses to negotiate a contract under these procurement procedures, no other statutory procurement requirements apply.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This bill was requested by the City of Quincy. Small cities would like to be able to procure long-term maintenance service contracts for their water storage assets. This authority will help small cities that do not have the resources or expertise to take on certain construction or maintenance projects related to their water tanks.

About a year ago, a hole in the procurement law was discovered. A number of small, rural cities were contracting for water tank maintenance services. In researching the procurement statutes, cities discovered that there is no clear statutory authority to contract for these services, because such service contracts do not clearly fall within the scope of existing procurement statutes (e.g., authority related to public bid procurement or small works roster contracts). This bill gives cities clear statutory authority to contract for water storage maintenance services.

An asset management company based in Georgia maintains water tanks under asset management contracts. The company has approximately 6,000 tanks in 47 states that they maintain under these types of contracts. The company offers services to small or medium sized cities or utilities to maintain the quality of tanks and water.

For many communities, cost management is an ongoing concern and this legislation will provide needed cost certainty to a city's budget. For example, in Quincy, if there is a problem with a water tank, it costs $10,000 for an inspection before any repair or replacement begins. Water tank refurbishment can cost anywhere from $100,000 to $150,000 and usually lasts 10 to 15 years. Under a long-term service contract, costs for maintenance, inspection, testing, and refurbishment of water tanks are covered by upfront and annual amounts, which provides certainty and helps the city manage costs. This bill recognizes the unique nature of the work and service being provided.

(In support with amendment(s)) Water-sewer districts are neutral, but do not have any interest in being included in the bill. Water-sewer districts do not have service contracts for water tank maintenance. The bill references "water districts," which is an outdated reference. An amendment is needed so that the bill refers to the proper statutory term, "water-sewer districts."

(Opposed) None.