Staff recommends that City Council approve the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the City of Billings and the County Water District of Billings Heights (CWDBH) for Cost Sharing of W.O. 24-41 Heights Water District Consolidation Study.

Public Works is working on W.O. 24-41 Heights Water District Consolidation Study. The purpose of this project is to conduct an independent and impartial study of the feasibility of consolidating the CWDBH into the City of Billings Water System. Morrison Maierle was the selected consultant through an RFP process, which included representatives from the CWDBH and the City of Billings. Prior to entering into a contract with Morrison Mairle, an MOA was written jointly with the CWDBH to detail the responsibilities of each party for cost sharing of the consulting services. This MOA is attached for council review and approval.

City Council may:

• Approve the MOA between the City of Billings and CWDBH for Cost Sharing of W.O. 24-41 Heights Water District Consolidation Study; or,
• Not approve the MOA. If City Council does not approve, the consolidation study will not proceed.

The total project fees for the study shall not exceed $200,000, which shall be split equally between the City and CWDBH. The City's contribution to the total project fees for the study shall not exceed $100,000. This expense was not included in the FY25 budget.  Public Works will either use cost savings in other water projects or defer a project to FY26 to fund this study.