One of the biggest concerns discussed during the Feb. 18 Buda City Council meetings is how to approach the South Loop 4 wastewater project. Some solutions were proposed in late 2018 and now, the Buda Economic Development Corporation is seeking guidance from council members.
During the workshop portion of the meeting, council members gave several opinions on approaching the wastewater project. They also approved several motions, unrelated to the wastewater dilemma. The BEDC board members listened to the council’s input and will relay that information to the corporation’s board, then report back during the March 9 Buda City Council meeting.
Currently, the wastewater project designs are in motion but there’s a question on the number of lines to run (one or three). There was also a question of whether they should fund the plans that support the city at its current and near-future capacity, or if they should fund lines that would support a bigger population and activity in the long term.
So far the design plans alone have cost about $50,000 for one line. If the city decides to go with one wastewater line, the design phase will need another $75,000. But if it chooses to design three lines, which supports a bigger population and future developments, it will cost an additional $101,000.
There will also be the much steeper price to pay for building these designs. If the city builds one line for wastewater, the estimated budget will be $1.5 million. If the other two lines are added on, it will cost an additional $2 million.
For now, the city and BEDC will further consider and discuss the best option to follow through on the project.
The BEDC presented another, unrelated item to the council for expenditure to engage the Retail Coach, LLC services. It will cost $18,500 of marketing funds so the Retail Coach can perform a highest and best use study for properties within Buda. This includes retail recruitment, updated demographics and gap analysis. The council approved the funds.
The 2020 fiscal year budget amendment was also approved. Finance director June Ellis presented a long list of this period’s expenditures. The budget will include some changes to tree mitigation funds, payment for city-wide meter changes from last fiscal period, reimbursement to FEMA, replacement of five police laptops for ruggedized laptops and more.
Kenneth Williams, the city manager, reported to the city council that the TCEQ has approved an Aquifer Storage Recovery (ASR) permit and is issued to proceed to the well driller.
