MOKANE - The Mokane Board of Aldermen has chosen Branson-based CPWG Engineering to take on the city's water and sewer projects.
"We feel good about the decision we made," Mayor Jo Belmont said.
Several other firms expressed interest and the city also interviewed Engineering Surveys and Services and Bartlett & West for the project.
In the past, CPWG has planned and administered infrastructure, environmental, development, and recreation projects for public and private clients. During Mokane's Jan. 4 board meeting, CPWG representatives said the Mokane project would be a priority project for the firm.
"We were impressed with the information they gave us and they really seemed to be tuned into what our needs are going to be," Belmont said.
During the interview, CPWG stressed the team's availability.
Belmont said availability and all-inclusive services, as well as the board's impression that the firm has a good understanding of small communities, were some of the reasons it was chosen over the competitors.
Finding an engineering firm checks off another step in the plan to finally update Mokane's sewer and water systems. Both projects have come up regularly during monthly board meetings as the city has worked to secure funding and comply with Missouri Department of Natural Resources requirements.
Over the past few decades, Mokane's systems have barely been maintained. Both are now in need of substantial improvements.
Now that a firm has been chosen, the city will have to put together a contract with CPWG and nail down the details.
"This is very relevant for all of us and we are being very careful to make good decisions for the town," Belmont said. "We really scrutinized the information we were given."