The Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District Board of Directors is vetting third parties to help it develop an integrated groundwater data management and reporting system. Since March, the board has worked to narrow down the candidature from nine applicants to two firms that could be granted in-depth interviews. The first round of interviews took place on Aug. 16, but one of the candidates stood out in such sharp relief that the board forewent the second round. Intera has now been tentatively selected to improve the current groundwater data management system. At its Aug. 24 meeting, the board’s general manager John Dupnik acknowledged that a contractual agreement may not come to fruition and preemptively suggested that “if, for whatever reason, we cannot come to terms with Intera, the board should authorize the second best candidate Halff.” Board Member Blayne Stansberry said that although her recommendation was for Intera, “I would like to suggest that instead of blanketly going with Intera, the committee review (the candidates) again.” She made this suggestion because Halff requires the use of proprietary software, which comes along with pricey annual licensing fees she would like to avoid. Board Member Craig Smith moved to approve Stansberry’s motion which passed 3-0.
Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District improving data management
