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Receive a report from Freese and Nichols regarding the Water and Wastewater Rate Study and take action as Lawton Water Authority deems appropriate. The rate study develops an Industrial user rate and a sustainability plan for all water and wastewater needs over the next 20 years.
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INITIATOR: Rusty Whisenhunt Director of Public Utilities
STAFF INFORMATION SOURCE: Rusty Whisenhunt Director of Public Utilities
BACKGROUND: On March 28, 2023, City Council was given a presentation on Public Utilities' Water and Wastewater system conditions and a plan of improvements with a means of funding the improvements. May 3, 2023, an RFQ was received from only one engineering for perform a rate study on the Enterprise Fund rates charged. Freese and Nichols ,Inc was the only firm that proposed on the rate study. On June 27, 2023, City Council approved the Master Service Agreement with Freese & Nichols, Inc for profession Engineering services for Public Utilities related projects. Amendment No. 1 to the Master Services Agreement was approved on September 26, 2023, and included the rate study of water, sanitary sewer, solid waste collection, solid waste disposal, and storm sewer rate evaluation and recommendations. The study presented is for water and wastewater rates for Industrial users and incorporates capital cost for life cycle replacement to provide the services. The study will also provide a cost comparison to the six peer Cities and other Oklahoma cities. The Funding identified will fund approximately $700 Million dollars of capital upgrade and replacement over the next 20 years (350 mile of Water main replacement, 150 miles of Sewer line replacement, phase 2 of WWTP upgrade and other Public Utilities system improvements). The adoption of the rate study will provide for "Throttle Up" and Kids First Initiative of the City of Lawton and meets the "True North Culture statement of Citizens first by providing a sustainable water and wastewater system ...
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