Chris Bryant

The Board reviewed District expenditures, authorized several contracts for water main replacement projects at Skyline Drive, Elder Court and Hazelwood Drive, and Dixie Place, Sadye Court, and Hartweg Avenue, and awarded contracts for aggregate materials and generator preventive maintenance services. The meeting also included reviews of financial and departmental reports, updates on revenues and expenses, the status of the 2025 audit, water production quantities, the Five-Year Capital Budget, and progress on infrastructure projects. Additionally, the Board received updates regarding ongoing legal matters, current legislation, and various human resources and safety initiatives, including employee training and grant funding.

The board meeting agenda included considerations for several operational and financial items, such as the approval of expenditures from the February check register and a financial review of the PSC Annual Report. Bids were evaluated for multiple infrastructure projects, including asphalt restoration, asphalt milling and paving, water main replacements for Grandview, Washington, and Foote Avenues, and distribution inventory materials, specifically for copper. Additionally, the meeting encompassed a review of extensive financial reports, division-specific updates, and construction project status.

The Board reviewed correspondence and published articles since the previous meeting. Expenditures for November and December 2025 were unanimously approved. The Board accepted a bid and awarded a contract to Howell Contractors, Inc. for the Ft. Thomas Treatment Plant Original Clearwell Baffle Replacement Project, budgeted at $2,385,000. Engineering service agreements were authorized with Dixon Engineering, Inc. for the Improvements to Kenton Lands Tank and Minor Repairs to Other Tanks Project; with Brandstetter Carroll Inc. to design the Garvey Avenue Water Main Interconnect Project; and with Verdantas to design the Thomas More Parkway Water Main Replacement Project. Several resolutions were adopted authorizing the General Counsel to file a Discover Card settlement claim and authorizing a Vice President to execute Kentucky Infrastructure Authority Loan Applications for lead service line replacement projects in Covington Eastside, Covington and Dayton, and the NKWD F26 project. The Board elected new officers, effective February 1, 2026. Department reports included updates on water production, status of on-going capital projects, insurance coverage, PSC cases, and 2025 Performance Reviews. The Board also unanimously authorized an increase to the President/CEO's wages and directed a contract for a new market wage analysis.

The Northern Kentucky Water District (NKWD) developed an actionable Strategic Plan to guide its operations through 2030, updating its vision, mission, and values. The plan is structured around six key goals: Regulatory Compliance, Workforce Cultivation, Financial Stewardship, Technology Strategy, Proactive Engagement, and Reliable Infrastructure. It aims to achieve a better community through safe, sustainable drinking water by efficiently providing safe, reliable, and affordable water, exceeding regulatory and community expectations, and upholding values of safety, commitment, trustworthiness, efficiency, and investment in its employees.

The agenda for this meeting included strategic planning discussion, review of news articles and correspondence, and several commission action items. Key actions involved the consideration of minutes from November 2025 and check registers for November and December. Several engineering services contracts were presented for consideration, specifically for the Fort Thomas Treatment Plant Baffle Replacement, and improvements for Kenton Lands Tank, Garvey Avenue Water Main Interconnect Project, and Thomas More Parkway Water Main Replacement. The Board also considered a resolution authorizing the General Counsel to file a Discover Card Merchant Class Action Settlement Claim. Furthermore, resolutions related to the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority State Revolving Loan Fund for lead service line replacement projects in Covington, Dayton, and NKWD F26 were on the agenda, as well as the Election of Officers for the Board of Commissioners. Various detailed financial reports and division reports were scheduled for review, followed by other business including executive session and adjournment.