Board approves engineering agreement for water and sewer rate study at not-to-exceed $44,100
August 28, 2025 | Lake Bluff, Lake County, Illinois
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The Lehi Bluff Village Board on Aug. 25 approved a professional-services agreement with Baxter & Woodman Inc. for a water and sewer rate study and infrastructure assessment at a fee not to exceed $44,100.
Village staff said the study will inventory the village’s roughly 25 miles of water mains, 600 system valves and 500 hydrants; review existing water and sewer rates; prioritize capital improvements; and recommend financing scenarios. Staff told the board much of the system may be between 60 and 100 years old and that the village’s asset database is only partially complete.
"To better plan village investment in its water and roadway systems, village staff solicited a proposal from Baxter and Woodman Inc. that 1) analyzes the village existing water infrastructure to prioritize areas of improvement; 2) reviews the existing water and sewer rates; and 3) outlines recommended capital improvements and financing scenarios," staff said. The agreement is a fixed-fee contract not to exceed $44,100 on a time-and-materials basis, and staff said the FY 2026 budget contains adequate funding in the waterfront account.
Trustees asked whether the study would only catalog system assets or also schedule repairs. Staff replied the study will provide sequencing and prioritization so replacements and valve work can be coordinated with the village road program to avoid redoing recently rebuilt streets.
The board approved the agreement by roll call; trustees recorded aye votes and staff said the village will use the study to inform capital planning and coordinate with ongoing projects such as the deep-tunnel work.
Discussion vs. decision: this was a formal procurement/contract approval. The board approved the contract on a not-to-exceed basis; staff will manage the scope and coordinate implementation.
What’s next: Baxter & Woodman will begin the inventory and rate review work, and staff will return to the board with prioritized capital recommendations and financing scenarios.
Village staff said the study will inventory the village’s roughly 25 miles of water mains, 600 system valves and 500 hydrants; review existing water and sewer rates; prioritize capital improvements; and recommend financing scenarios. Staff told the board much of the system may be between 60 and 100 years old and that the village’s asset database is only partially complete.
"To better plan village investment in its water and roadway systems, village staff solicited a proposal from Baxter and Woodman Inc. that 1) analyzes the village existing water infrastructure to prioritize areas of improvement; 2) reviews the existing water and sewer rates; and 3) outlines recommended capital improvements and financing scenarios," staff said. The agreement is a fixed-fee contract not to exceed $44,100 on a time-and-materials basis, and staff said the FY 2026 budget contains adequate funding in the waterfront account.
Trustees asked whether the study would only catalog system assets or also schedule repairs. Staff replied the study will provide sequencing and prioritization so replacements and valve work can be coordinated with the village road program to avoid redoing recently rebuilt streets.
The board approved the agreement by roll call; trustees recorded aye votes and staff said the village will use the study to inform capital planning and coordinate with ongoing projects such as the deep-tunnel work.
Discussion vs. decision: this was a formal procurement/contract approval. The board approved the contract on a not-to-exceed basis; staff will manage the scope and coordinate implementation.
What’s next: Baxter & Woodman will begin the inventory and rate review work, and staff will return to the board with prioritized capital recommendations and financing scenarios.
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