SANDPOINT — Work is moving forward on Sandpoint's $130 million wastewater treatment plant project after the Sandpoint City Council approved a master agreement on Oct. 7 that provides owner's representative and construction management representative services. 

Public Works Director Holly Ellis said the agreement allows city staff to move from preliminary planning to design and construction for the project, while also giving city staff additional assistance. 

"We need help and support. This project is in need of dedicated capacity, specialized expertise, and more than the city staff has to offer," Ellis said. 

Council approved the agreement, allowing Stantec, a global design and delivery firm, to provide services after it proved to be the most qualified and experienced candidate following a qualifications-focused evaluation. 

Hollis said the project is a major investment that requires a massive breadth of engineering, a role she said Stantec is well equipped to fill. 

The firm adds experienced support, including several specialized engineers, to work alongside city staff in evaluating alternatives, coordinating, and identifying issues early, said Hollis. 

"There's a very large breadth of expertise. In addition to that, we'll have funding complexity," said Ellis. 

Phase one of the project is $60 million, with future phases potentially exceeding $130 million. The firm will also assist in reviewing costs and schedules. 

"Staff will absolutely remain very dedicated to this project; we're just adding to our team," said Ellis. 

The agreement, which is effective through 2031 with a ceiling of $5 million, is split into task orders. Council approved the first draft order, which provides initial services needed through June 2027. 

In 2019, the city adopted a wastewater facility plan, identifying the need for a new facility after ruling that the current wastewater treatment plant had several components that need replacement. 

The city’s wastewater treatment plant committed six discharge violations in 2024, according to an annual report by the Idaho Conservation League, performing slightly worse than in 2023. 

The Sandpoint City Council adopted a budget of $92 million for Fiscal Year 2027 to fund the project, the largest budget adopted in the city’s history. 

Mayor Jeremy Grimm said the plant has remained a top priority, and the city's 2027 budget will dig out a backlog of deferred maintenance. 

"I've been following this project for about the last 19, almost 20, years," said Nick Smith, Stantec senior principal. "I'm really excited for the opportunity to help move this project forward."