Denver, March 4, 2008 — The City of Central, La., has signed an agreement with CH2M HILL OMI to be the community’s partner in delivering a full range of municipal services, effective March 1.

Worth about $3.5 million a year, the three-year contract calls for CH2M HILL OMI to be responsible for operating nearly all city services for Central, including public works, planning and zoning, code enforcement, building permits and inspections, and general administrative functions. Public safety services such as police and fire will continue to be provided by East Baton Rouge Parish.

Central’s City Council voted unanimously to select CH2M HILL OMI during its meeting Jan. 17. Through the new public-private partnership, the city controls operations and decision-making, relying on CH2M HILL OMI people to implement and manage all services and to meet the city’s required performance standards.

“After thoroughly exploring our options, we believe this partnership model is the best way to give Central citizens top-quality service in the most efficient manner,” says Mayor Shelton “Mac” Watts. “We’ll have a focused staff that is focused solely on helping enhance Central’s quality of life and that is fully aligned with our mission to be ‘a community that cares.’”

“Helping cities successfully accomplish important civic work is at the heart of what we do, whether it’s efficiently reviewing permits, caring for public parks, or repairing potholes. By applying our operations, maintenance and engineering expertise and resources, we will be on call with excellence around the clock for Central’s citizens,” says Gary Miller, senior vice president of CH2M HILL OMI. “This partnership is the first of its kind in Louisiana and will serve as a model for other communities to follow in the future.”

Central is one of Louisiana’s newest cities, incorporated in 2005. Covering roughly 66 square miles, it is located in East Baton Rouge Parish and is home to about 27,000 people. It is CH2M HILL OMI’s fifth municipal services partner, joining the Georgia cities of Sandy Springs, Milton, Johns Creek and Chattahoochee Hill Country in relying on the company’s city services experience.

CH2M HILL, parent company of CH2M HILL OMI, has been providing civil engineering, design and consulting services to Louisiana communities for more than 20 years.

Clients in government and industry rely on the people of CH2M HILL OMI to provide a range of custom-tailored operations and maintenance solutions. The company’s services include water and wastewater system optimization; contract O&M of water, wastewater and other utilities; and complete municipal operations, including administration, public works and community development – all backed by a commitment to safety, quality, innovation and customer service. Founded by CH2M HILL in 1980, the Englewood-based company serves clients in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada and Puerto Rico. For more information, visit www.omi.ch2mhill.com.

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