Wanted: Big ideas to fix Martin County water woes

BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — The Thrive Community Coalition, based in Inez, has just issued a call for proposals—and the stakes could not be higher. The coalition is hunting for a top-tier vendor to perform a deep dive into the Martin County Water District’s current performance and map out a 10-year game plan.

According to a public notice in this edition of the newspaper, the goal is to tackle the crumbling infrastructure and lay the groundwork for future upgrades while ensuring much-needed public funding flows into the district’s coffers.

The final report must be in by April 1, 2025, the notice states, while the deadline for proposals is Oct. 15.

For vendors with the chops to take on this challenge, here is the deal according to the public notice: Proposals should be rooted in data from Martin County Utility Board’s filings with the Kentucky Public Service Commission (Case #2020-00154), which contain key insights into the water district’s operations and financial status.

What is on the table

The winning proposal will need to pull together a comprehensive assessment of the district’s current state—think detailed infrastructure reports, operational efficiency reviews and financial health checks. The 10-year strategic plan should go deep, laying out clear steps for fixing infrastructure issues, slashing water loss, finding new funding streams and holding everyone accountable, from the water board to the county government.

Bonus points for designing a plan to restore public trust and get the community engaged.

The full breakdown

State of the Water District: Analyze the infrastructure, funding and operations and provide a clear picture of what is falling apart and what is holding up. Include a visual breakdown—maps, charts, whatever it takes to make the situation clear.

The 10-year vision: Create a strategic plan that spells out key investment priorities, timelines and how to secure funding for the next decade. The plan should also address accountability and suggest strategies to track and reduce operational inefficiencies, like water loss.

Community buy-in: The community has a stake in this, too, so the expert is expected to hold public meetings and gather input from Martin County residents, leaders and stakeholders. The plan needs to reflect local concerns—and the expert must present the final version at the March 2025 Martin County Utility Board meeting.

Keep everyone posted: Monthly progress reports are a must, with updates going to both the coalition and the Martin County Utility Board.

How to get in the game

Proposals are due by 5 p.m. Oct. 15 and should be submitted via email to waterproject@thriveserves.com. Vendors should include a detailed breakdown of their approach, a timeline, a budget and references. The winning vendor will be selected quickly, with a decision expected by Oct. 18. Work is set to kick off by Nov. 1.

The right fit?

Experience working with small, rural utilities—especially in mountainous Appalachian regions—is crucial. Vendors need to understand the ins and outs of Kentucky’s regulatory and funding landscape. Points will be awarded based on the quality of the proposed plan, the experience of the vendor, and their ability to engage the local community.

Important deadlines

Email questions about the request for proposals by Oct. 9 at 5 p.m. and get the answers by Oct. 11.

The Thrive Community Coalition is a nonprofit tackling a range of community issues, including economic recovery and substance abuse. Last year, they scored a $500,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission for their “Come Alive” program, which helps individuals in recovery find meaningful employment. The Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission also awarded Thrive a $376,000 grant earlier this year.

Water officials earlier this year revealed that they had met with Thrive director Eric Mills and that the funding for the water study is a grant from Toyota. However, the water board has not discussed the matter publicly, and a prior request from the newspaper to Thrive for that information went unanswered.

See the official public notice: Request for Proposals.


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