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Minutes for HB2493 - Committee on Local Government
Short Title
Requiring rural water districts to award certain contracts through a public letting process.
Minutes Content for Wed, Feb 14, 2024
Revisor Jason long gave a brief overview of the bill. (Attachment 21). He explained that this bill would create a new statute requiring the board of directors of a rural water district to use a public bid process to award contracts in excess of $25,000 for the construction, installation, or replacement of district facilities, water lines, pump stations or buildings.
RepresentativeTimothy Johnson spoke as a proponent for the bill. He addressed the fiscal note (Attachment 22). He also explained that this legislation was brought on behalf of the Leavenworth County Commission to alleviate an issue with excessive costs on projects completed by rural water boards.(Attachment 23).
Bill Nole, Leavenworth County Public Works Director spoke as a proponent for the bill. (Attachment 24) He explained that this bill hits at the core value of every elected official in the state; ensuring that taxpayer funds are spent in a transparent, fair, and competitive contracting process.
Mitch Mitchener testified as a proponent to the bill (Attachment 25). He gave an example of a project were no bids were allowed and is now on hold due to financial reasons.
The following people written only testimony as an opponent to the bill.
- Brenda L. Adkins, Rural Water District #3, Jackson County (Attachment 26)
- Terry Brown, District Manager, Rural Water District #5, Butler County (Attachment 27)
- Mike Fulkerson, General Manager, Consolidated Rural Water District #1, Leavenworth County (Attachment 28)
- Eldon Pankratz, Marion County Rural Water District #4 (Attachment 29)
- Elmer Ronnebaum, Kansas Rural Water Association (Attachment 30)
- Michelle Watts, Harvey County Rural Water District #1 (Attachment 31)
Chairman Bergquist closed the hearing on HB2493.
Meeting was adjourned at 10:29 a.m.
