Jim Trimble

The Board addressed several administrative and contractual matters. Key actions included welcoming a new Board member and administering the Oath of Office to new and reelected members. The Board elected a new Chair, Vice Chair, and a member to the Retirement Committee. Significant resolutions and agreements were adopted, such as creating a WaterOne Benefit Area for Project TD-25073 (Water Main Installation) and approving an Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Mission, Kansas for the Rock Creek Channel Improvements Project. Furthermore, the Board awarded contracts for the 2026 Water Main Extension Services, basin painting projects (MP-25004 and AC-26750), and approved an amendment to the Black & Veatch Agreement for 2026 Master Plan Engineering Services.

The Operations Committee meeting included discussions regarding several contract approvals. Key discussions involved the approval of the contract for 2026 Water Main Extension Services, which was recommended for award to Hettinger Excavating, Inc. The committee also discussed and recommended approval for Change Order No. 1 for Project MP-25009 O&M Building Roof Replacement, necessary due to the discovery of corroded metal decking requiring full replacement beyond the original scope. Furthermore, approvals were sought for a combined contract covering Project MP-25004 Hansen Phase IV Basin Painting and Project AC-26750 Facility 2 South Wash Water Interior Painting, awarded to Envirologics, LLC. Finally, the committee discussed and recommended approval for Amendment No. 17 to the Black & Veatch Agreement to fund engineering services for the 2026 Master Plan, which will integrate sustainability goals and resiliency evaluations. The meeting also included a tribute honoring the memory of former Board member Mr. Jim Vader.

The meeting included discussion and approval considerations for several key initiatives. These included engaging Deloitte Consulting LLP for integration services related to the Enterprise Resource Planning Upgrade (Project MP-22800), and approving the purchase of SAP S/4HANA for the same project. Further discussion revolved around the disposition of year-end funds, with proposed allocations to the Defined Benefit Plan, Master Plan Capital Fund, Defined Contribution Plan, and the Negative Cash Flow Reserve. The committee also reviewed the 2024 financial results, including operating revenue, investment income, and expenses, and discussed the reconciliation between accrual and cash bases.

The Administrative Committee meeting included discussions and potential approvals regarding compensation and benefits consulting services, as well as updates to board policies. The committee reviewed a proposal for a Total Compensation Study and considered the selection of CBIZ Compensation Consulting for these services. Updates to Board Policies were discussed, focusing on aligning policy language with current practices and eliminating outdated content. Specific policies under review included Board and Committee Meetings, Board Vacancies, and Water Conservation.

The Board convened to discuss and approve several key projects and agreements. A WaterOne Benefit Area was created for the installation of a water main on 167th Street, and an Intergovernmental Agreement with Johnson County for the relocation of a water main on Mission Road was approved. The Board also approved a contract for the Kansas Presed Influent Meter Replacement and an amendment to the Black & Veatch Agreement for Program Management Office Services related to the SCADA HMI Upgrade Migration. Additionally, a resolution was adopted to extend WaterOne boundaries to include the City of Spring Hill, Kansas, along with the approval of a Merger Agreement and Temporary Water Supply Agreement with the City.