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New approach saves FD money

Management change yields positive results for our city

Cost overruns by both government programs and companies that are contracted to undertake work for various agencies are frequently in the news. Sadly, it is rare that one hears about a project that saves money for taxpayers. One of those all-too- unusual occurrences just took place in our town.

The Fort Dodge City Council recently received some positive news from USW Utility Group, the company it hired last year to run the John W. Pray Water Facility. Travis Pender, the company’s local operations manager, told the council members that the plant had a total operations and maintenance budget of $1,503,405 but its operations in the last year actually cost $1,403,682. That’s a savings of $100,388. Under the terms of the company’s contract, the city will get $92,231 of those savings.

The savings were realized through improved methods of treating water with chlorine to kill bacteria and through upgraded use of computerized controls. Enhancing the efficiency of the plant’s operations was one of the city’s goals in undertaking this new management arrangement. It’s very good news indeed that this project is working out as intended.

The Messenger congratulates the Fort Dodge City Council for having made a wise contracting decision. We also applaud USW Utility Group for delivering on promised efficiencies.

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