The West Des Moines Water Works board of trustees has delayed a vote on the future of the city’s water supply, saying it is seeking more robust public discussion before action is taken.

Recent public meetings have yielded few comments from residents and ratepayers. As a result, the board voted this week to delay action and schedule three more public meetings to collect input, according to a news release.

A board subcommittee recommended moving forward with a resolution to begin negotiations on a 28E/F agreement, the first step in a long process toward the regionalization of the water system. A vote on the resolution is now scheduled for the board’s Jan. 26 meeting. It had been scheduled for Dec. 15.

The upcoming public meetings, including the three new ones, are scheduled for:

• Tuesday, Dec. 14, at 5:30 p.m., West Des Moines City Council Chambers.
• Wednesday, Dec. 15, at 4 p.m., regularly scheduled board of trustees meeting, A.C. Ward Municipal Water Treatment Plant boardroom, 1505 Railroad Ave., West Des Moines.
• Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, at 9 a.m., Valley Junction Activity Center, 217 Fifth St., West Des Moines (parking behind the building).
• Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022, at 4 p.m., regularly scheduled board of trustees meeting, A.C. Ward Municipal Water Treatment Plant boardroom, 1505 Railroad Ave., West Des Moines.
• Wednesday, Jan.26, 2022, at 4 p.m., special meeting to consider a resolution A.C. Ward Municipal Water Treatment Plant boardroom, 1505 Railroad Ave., West Des Moines.

Christina Murphy, West Des Moines Water Works general manager, said the additional meetings will hopefully generate more public input on the proposed resolution.

“At this point, we have heard from very few people; some at both of the public meetings held so far,” she said. “The board is providing more opportunities to hear from more people before voting on this initial resolution, which allows for negotiations of the 28E/F agreement.”

Representatives from the West Des Moines Water Works, Des Moines Water Works and Urbandale Water Utility began to meet in 2020 to discuss the issue of a regional water utility, and issued a report that outlines possible terms that could be followed to form Central Iowa Water Works.