The Muncie Sanitary District meeting on July 23, 2025, focused on key updates regarding ongoing projects and budget forecasts for the sanitation department. The engineering department reported significant cost savings from in-house construction teams, which are currently engaged in several projects, including stormwater manhole work near Lowell and Wolf, and lane restrictions on Twelfth Street between Macedonia and Penn. These in-house efforts are projected to save approximately 50% compared to outsourcing similar projects.

Additionally, the meeting addressed the anticipated budget for the Sanitation Department, which is expected to decrease by about 4% in 2026 compared to 2025. While officials believe they can manage this reduction without immediate changes to funding, they acknowledged that budget shortfalls are likely to increase over the next three years, necessitating a reevaluation of funding strategies.

In new business, the board discussed the selection of Bowen as the guaranteed savings contractor for upcoming projects. This selection process, which aims to provide a guaranteed maximum cost for construction, received unanimous support from board members. They noted Bowen's strong qualifications and the successful history of collaboration with the firm. The board approved the motion to proceed with Bowen, allowing them to begin the process of preparing contracts for future work.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the district's commitment to cost-effective project management and proactive budget planning, while also addressing the challenges posed by future funding shortfalls.