Mount Clemens approves one‑year utilities management contract amid concerns over cost and staffing

The Mount Clemens City Commission approved a one‑year professional services contract with F and V Operations and Resource Management (FVOP) to provide day‑to‑day management and oversight of the city's water and wastewater systems.

Administration said the contract would provide licensed operators, an asset management plan and the capacity to coordinate major repairs. The proposal calls for an hourly equivalent and a not‑to‑exceed monthly cost (presented at roughly $17,000 per month for approximately 180 hours of service, about $204,000 annually before offsets). City Manager Brown told commissioners the contract would also reduce certain extra‑pay costs to employees by providing licensed staff through the contractor and that administration plans to evaluate the contractor monthly using a draft evaluation document covering eight service categories.

Opposition centered on cost and staffing. Commissioner Manser argued the city already has licensed staff and called the contract “a pork barrel contract,” saying the city should consider reposting the utilities director job or promote from within instead of committing to the management company without exhausting other recruitment options. Manser announced he would vote no. Other commissioners said the utilities function is critical, described examples of deferred maintenance and supported a short (one‑year) contract that would give administration time to assess operations and, if warranted, advertise the position later.

Administration said FVOP could begin work within weeks of approval and that the contract contains a 30‑day termination option. The commission approved the contract by roll call vote with recorded dissent from at least one commissioner.