2013 WATER AND SEWER BOND CONSTRUCTION FUND In May of 2013, we issued $2 million in Water and Sewer Bonds. The proceeds from these bonds funded the Northwest water system expansion ($1,000,000) Sewer line replacements ($250,000), local lift station renovations ($250,000), and repair and repaint the Dow water tower ($500,000). In addition, the Lake Jackson Development Corporation approved the funding of the Northwest water system. The Economic Development Fund, whose primary revenue is the optional half-cent sales tax, will provide the funding to service the debt payments on $1,500,000 in Certifications of Obligation. The Certificates were sold in October, 2013. Northwest Water System Expansion This project was the first of a phased approach to providing water service to the airport area. This phase included a connection to the existing Brazosport Water Authority main, a 100,000-gallon ground storage tank, a 10,000 gallon pressure tank, booster pumps, chemical treatment facilities and a control room. These facilities are complete and located on a plant site donated by the County east of the airport. Water mains were extended to the airport to the west, to CR 220 to the north, and to the Alden development to the South. The Airport is in the process of completing their internal system and will soon connect to these lines. This initial phase will serve up to the first 400 equivalent single-family connections around the airport and in the Alden development. Future phases would include additional ground storage and booster pumps, elevated storage, and a well system. With development of the Alden tract, this system will eventually connect back to the existing city water system. Repair and Repaint Water Tower This provided funds for the repair and repainting of the Water Tower known as the Dow Ag Tower (Leo Martin). This project was the first completed from this bond issue at total cost of $436,675. Local Lift Station Renovations This will replace the pumps and controls and upgrade the flow capacity of the existing Lift Station #16 to meet the requirements for the full build out of the Creekside subdivision ($150,000) and will replace major pumping equipment and controls at smaller lift stations ($100,000). All of the planned projects for this bond fund are complete. Because these projects were completed under budget we have funded additional projects. This includes a project to asphalt the access road to the water plant (complete), additional lift station renovations (complete) and the repair of the Marigold sewer line (complete). IMPACT ON OPERATING BUDGET The impact on the operating budget should be minimal. The Northwest Water System expansion will add some maintenance and operating costs, but these will be minimal until a customer base is established and consumption increases, at that point the revenue from increased sales should more than offset the increased operating costs. All of the other projects will decrease maintenance costs for repairs that are currently coming out of the operating budget and extend the life of existing infrastructure.
FY 2021-2022 Adopted Budget - 322
