Politics Government · Transportation & infrastructure

Columbus advances $650,000 expansion for street and sidewalk utility repairs

The addition brings Decker Construction's 2026 restoration contract to $2.1 million after utility officials acknowledged earlier funding was incomplete.

During its meeting on Monday, Nov. 2, Columbus City Council advanced a $650,000 contract modification with Decker Construction Company for city utility cut restorations. Under the legislation placed on the council's consent agenda, spending authority for the restoration work runs through March 31, 2027.

The addition brings the total value of the 2026 restoration contract to $2.1 million. In legislative filings, Columbus Water and Power explained that additional funds were "not set up in its entirety" and will be used through the end of the contract. City records note the modification was calculated from estimated needs for early 2026 at existing contract rates.

Decker Construction Company, located on McKinley Avenue, secured the work after submitting the sole bid for the project when the city opened proposals on May 6, 2026. Decker's bid was deemed the lowest, most responsive and responsible bid, and the city added a bid waiver to address wording changes after the bidding process was complete and a vendor selected. Columbus City Council approved the initial contract on July 2, 2026. Services under the agreement cover a one-year period with the option to renew annually for up to three additional years.

Following utility excavations in city rights-of-way and city-owned properties, the department routinely outsources restoration work to repair pavement, curbs, and sidewalks conforming to municipal construction specifications. Typical outsourced tasks include installing wheelchair ramps, thermal bond heat-weld asphalt repairs, full-width asphalt milling, and volumetric mixer trucks delivering flowable controlled density fill.

The $650,000 modification is funded from Division of Water Operating Funds. Municipal records show city spending on utility cut pavement repairs has fluctuated over the past three years: Columbus has spent $1,418,763.01 so far in 2026, after spending $1,876,351.19 in 2025 and $2,695,850.41 in 2024.

How we know this

The sources and records behind this story, with the facts they support.

  1. Columbus City Council · 2026-11-02

    columbus · agendas

    Published · Accessed

    Supporting evidence (1)
    • During its meeting on Monday, Nov. 2, Columbus City Council advanced a $650,000 contract modification with Decker Construction Company for city utility cut restorations.

      Read supporting passage
      REGULAR MEETING NO. 49 OF COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL,NOVEMBER 2, 2026 at 5:00 P.M. IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
  2. 2854-2026 · To authorize the Director of Columbus Water and Power to modify a contract for the 2026 Utility Cut Restoration Project with Decker Construction Company for the Division of Water; and to authorize the expenditure of $650,000.00 through March 31, 2027. ($650,000.00)

    columbus · legislation

    Published · Accessed

    Supporting evidence (17)
    • During its meeting on Monday, Nov. 2, Columbus City Council advanced a $650,000 contract modification with Decker Construction Company for city utility cut restorations.

      Read supporting passage
      To authorize the Director of Columbus Water and Power to modify a contract for the 2026 Utility Cut Restoration Project with Decker Construction Company for the Division of Water; and to authorize the expenditure of $650,000.00 through March 31, 2027. ($650,000.00)
    • Under the legislation placed on the council's consent agenda, spending authority for the restoration work runs through March 31, 2027.

      Read supporting passage
      {Body=Public Utilities & Sustainability Committee, Content type=Legislation, Document coverage=API text and document metadata; linked PDF bytes are not retained, File=2854-2026, Legislation type=Ordinance, Municipality=columbus, Status=Consent, Text version=1}
    • Under the legislation placed on the council's consent agenda, spending authority for the restoration work runs through March 31, 2027.

      Read supporting passage
      and to authorize the expenditure of $650,000.00 through March 31, 2027. ($650,000.00)
    • The addition brings the total value of the 2026 restoration contract to $2.1 million.

      Read supporting passage
      This contract is for additional funding only. Total amount is $2,100,000.00. This contract shall not automatically renew.
    • In legislative filings, Columbus Water and Power explained that additional funds were "not set up in its entirety" and will be used through the end of the contract.

      Read supporting passage
      Additional funds were not set up in its entirety. Funds will be used through the end of the contract.
    • City records note the modification was calculated from estimated needs for early 2026 at existing contract rates.

      Read supporting passage
      The modification is based upon estimated requirements for early 2026 at rates established in the existing contract.
    • Decker Construction Company, located on McKinley Avenue, secured the work after submitting the sole bid for the project when the city opened proposals on May 6, 2026.

      Read supporting passage
      3040 McKinley Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43204
    • Decker Construction Company, located on McKinley Avenue, secured the work after submitting the sole bid for the project when the city opened proposals on May 6, 2026.

      Read supporting passage
      The Director of Columbus Water & Power publicly opened one bid (RFQ023112) on May 6, 2026 from Decker Construction Company.
    • Decker's bid was deemed the lowest, most responsive and responsible bid, and the city added a bid waiver to address wording changes after the bidding process was complete and a vendor selected.

      Read supporting passage
      Decker Construction Company's bid was deemed the lowest, most responsive and responsible bid. A bid waiver was added to address the verbiage changes after the bidding process was complete and a vendor selected.
    • Columbus City Council approved the initial contract on July 2, 2026.

      Read supporting passage
      WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 1569-2026, passed by the Columbus City Council on July 2, 2026, authorized Columbus Water and Power, Division of Water, to enter into a contract with Decker Construction Company for the 2026 Utility Cut Restoration Project; and
    • Services under the agreement cover a one-year period with the option to renew annually for up to three additional years.

      Read supporting passage
      Services under the original contract cover a one (1) year period from date of execution with the option to renew annually for an additional three (3) years on a year-to-year basis, or a portion thereof, based on mutual agreement of the parties, availability of budgeted funds and approval of Columbus City Council.
    • Following utility excavations in city rights-of-way and city-owned properties, the department routinely outsources restoration work to repair pavement, curbs, and sidewalks conforming to municipal construction specifications.

      Read supporting passage
      Various types of utility excavations are performed within the City of Columbus' right-of-way and City owned properties by Columbus Water and Power. The restoration work typically involves repair of existing pavement, curbs, and sidewalks in a manner conforming to the City of Columbus, Construction and Material Specifications (CMSC). The Department routinely outsources this restoration work to a contractor that is equipped and trained to make these repairs.
    • Typical outsourced tasks include installing wheelchair ramps, thermal bond heat-weld asphalt repairs, full-width asphalt milling, and volumetric mixer trucks delivering flowable controlled density fill.

      Read supporting passage
      Typical types of restoration work that require outsourcing involve the installation of wheelchair ramps, asphalt repair involving thermal bond heat weld repairs, asphalt milling machines capable of full width milling, and the delivery of flowable controlled density fill using volumetric mixer trucks.
    • The $650,000 modification is funded from Division of Water Operating Funds.

      Read supporting passage
      FISCAL IMPACT: $650,000.00 is available from within Columbus Water and Power, Division of Water Operating Funds to meet the financial obligations of this contract.
    • Municipal records show city spending on utility cut pavement repairs has fluctuated over the past three years: Columbus has spent $1,418,763.01 so far in 2026, after spending $1,876,351.19 in 2025 and $2,695,850.41 in 2024.

      Read supporting passage
      $1,418,763.01 has been spent so far in 2026
    • Municipal records show city spending on utility cut pavement repairs has fluctuated over the past three years: Columbus has spent $1,418,763.01 so far in 2026, after spending $1,876,351.19 in 2025 and $2,695,850.41 in 2024.

      Read supporting passage
      $1,876,351.19 was spent in 2025
    • Municipal records show city spending on utility cut pavement repairs has fluctuated over the past three years: Columbus has spent $1,418,763.01 so far in 2026, after spending $1,876,351.19 in 2025 and $2,695,850.41 in 2024.

      Read supporting passage
      $2,695,850.41 was spent in 2024

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