TO: Indian River County Board of County Commissioners
THROUGH: John A. Titkanich, Jr, County Administrator
Sean C. Lieske, Director of Utility Services
FROM: Howard G. Richards, PE, Manager - Capital Projects
DATE: April 15, 2025
SUBJECT: Department of Utility Services Integrated Water Master Plan Update to the Indian River County Board of County Commissioners, IRCDUS Project ID: 00.23.547
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BACKGROUND
Indian River County Department of Utility Services (IRCDUS) provides drinking water, wastewater, and reuse water services to major portions of the County. Altogether, water and sewer services include over 50,000 accounts, serving a population of over 110,000 across an Urban Service Area (USA) of 96.44 square miles. Indian River County (IRC) is experiencing significant growth, which is expected to continue while even accelerating during the foreseeable future. As such, IRCDUS must take steps to ensure the continuation of safe and reliable water, wastewater, and reuse services to its customers.
On February 22, 2024, Request for Qualifications (RFQ) 2024039 was advertised to identify qualified consulting engineering firms to develop the IRCDUS Integrated Water Master Plan (IWMP), Project ID: 00.23.547. Subsequently on June 18, 2024, the Indian River County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) approved the selection of HDR Engineering, Inc. (HDR) and then, on September 24, 2024, approved the award of RFQ 2024039 to HDR.
ANALYSIS
From the discussions at the BCC meeting on September 24, 2024, it was agreed that the IRCDUS Director would return to the BCC with informational updates at the six-month mark then quarterly thereafter. BCC also requested that a statement on the use of the approved contingency be provided at each update. Accordingly, the initial informational update was set for May 6, 2025.
BUDGETARY IMPACT
There is no budgetary impact for this agenda item.
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTIONS
• Approved the selection of HDR for the IWMP on June 18, 2024
• Approved the award of RFQ 2024039 to HDR on September 24, 2024
POTENTIAL FUTURE BOARD ACTIONS
• Quarterly information updates for the IWMP
• Review and acceptance of the final IWMP report third quarter 2026
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
Environment: Advancing responsible environmental stewardship by protecting, conserving, and managing natural resources and by fostering environmental awareness.
Governance: Delivering high quality local government services and managing resources in a financially responsible and sustainable manner, embracing accountability, transparency, innovation, performance, customer service, and community engagement; the hallmarks of good governance.
Infrastructure: Planning, constructing, managing, and maintaining critical public infrastructure in response to our current needs, future demands, and the expectations of our community; embracing innovation, technology, and resiliency.
Public Safety: Protecting residents and property through effective and responsive fire rescue, emergency medical services, and emergency management. Promoting the safety and well-being of the community through effective planning and enforcement of community and life-safety standards.
Quality of Life: Enhancing the quality of life to foster a thriving community for Indian River County residents by advancing programs and policies directed toward children, seniors, economic opportunity, attainable housing, community health, recreation, and public mobility.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
No action is required. This item will be a presentation by the Department of Utility Services staff to the Indian River County Board of County Commissioners on the current progress of the Integrated Water Master Plan project.