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Water and Sewer Subcommittee April 22, 2003 Page 10 them a successful partnership. First and foremost, the city needs to have the consensus among the city's decision makers that this is what the city wants to do. That is why they are here tonight is to make this presentation and answer the Committee Members questions. Then the city will define what policy and process they will follow as the city moves forward with this. The City would need to focus on quality of service at a responsible price, and not necessarily the lowest price that someone could offer you. They want to share responsibility and risk and reward and define the scope of the city's projects. Ms. Ross said the city will have to make the decision if they are looking at water or wastewater treatment, whether they want them to take a look at the distribution and collection system. The City of Paris will define the scope and tell them what to look at, and define for them the cost that it is costing the city to do those services right now so they will have a benchmark to go by. Ms. Ross also said the city should go into this with a partnership type of approach and it will be a successful procurement. Chairman Plata asked Ms. Ross if they were able to save Temple, Texas, any money. Mr. Gregg Higgins advised Chairman Plata that they were able to save Temple money, and on the second renewal that their cost was reduced. Ms. Ross said they were able to offer their clients from 10% to 30% savings for the current or the same amount of services that they are receiving right now. Sometimes when cities go through procurement, they may add services and ask for additional services. She said that in some cases, it is hard to compare their savings, but usually it is from 10% to 30%. Ms. Ross also stated they would be responsible for the maintenance of the facilities. Mr. Higgins did advise that there are some facilities that all they do is maintain the equipment for that facility, and in other cases, they do everything. Councilwoman Neeley asked what happens when a mandate comes down while OMI is managing a facility. Ms. Ross advised that would be an increase in the scope of their contract. They would do research and go over exactly what those increases in regulations would mean. Sometimes the direct costs, such as chemical or energy, would go up to accomplish an expanded level of treatment.