[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6508868,"mediaKeyId","5453261-138dd6d64087516277fecbe6c7e78bb1","parentId",5453261,"title","Pilot Knoll Park: city staff outline water, sewer and accessibility needs; engineering quotes vary","audioSeconds",2242,"startMs",8018000,"endMs",10260000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5453261-138dd6d64087516277fecbe6c7e78bb1&start=8018&end=10260","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5453261-138dd6d64087516277fecbe6c7e78bb1/thumbnail_8018000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6508868/Texas/Pilot-Knoll-Park-city-staff-outline-water-sewer-and-accessibility-needs-engineering-quotes-vary","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6508868-9317d846a6fcbfc6f922169d2a6a1a22/orig.mp4?Expires=1770394047&Signature=dp2D3Ffid~jjiMC3rI-PWUg2MIU5n4p-ffRGSvwSuxofIruMHz1RbyWG3CHcJ3sSdo1xcsczpAi4VBcbdAqCaKuA6HPa2TfIjdxYiiRGDc5NbJFIjOEm~xNgblih~CZqtzm8csENtsaaLBEyOFIe0UKjKgUE0fp2t9Wy0mNQEAyTaT4dCvx521Vfs9pfVEwNuaIoss3me~Z20zfChv4hy7ZgsJ7zNHZNyc3cFB2yAyqrqY07zB3Cz-qKvprxRL7hhGpjfu5JBjCSj6mltzWuOEHEHtQpgmx5FR1adEvnzmLDVbcMtDKNdZETuMbl15VHEYwAexu5Kz4DRun3Il7S~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Highlands","date","2025-07-22T00:00:00Z","article","Council members received a detailed update July 22 on infrastructure and program needs at Pilot Knoll Park, including staff presentations on recurring maintenance, flood exposure and preliminary engineering estimates for sewer and water work tied both to the park's current operations and to an optional cabin project.

What staff reported

- Maintenance history: staff presented work-order data for the water and sewer systems at Pilot Knoll covering recent years. The work-order counts in the record were modest (two dozen or fewer entries across several years for water and sewer repairs), but staff cautioned that the work-order system does not capture every overtime, rental or ancillary cost associated with repeated repairs and flood-related remediation.

- Core near-term needs: staff said continuing park operations would require replacing an aging 2-inch water line that serves park facilities, replacing the existing septic system that serves the RV restrooms/showers and the dump station, improving the gatehouse to meet workplace-safety and ADA expectations, repairing or replacing shelter roofs and improving pavilion accessibility and parking layouts.

- Boat-ramp and access work: staff recommended moving electrical out of flood-prone poles, adding targeted lighting (including solar options), improving the courtesy dock to accommodate moderate lake-elevation changes and adding an ADA accessible non-motorized watercraft (kayak/canoe) launch with dedicated accessible parking.

Engineering and cost indications

Staff shared a firm's preliminary engineering quote (KBC Engineering, as presented to staff) for three septic-system projects: an RV restroom/dump station system, a gatehouse system, and cabin-associated septic design. The engineering and construction cost figures given in the presentation were presented as preliminary, experience-based ranges rather than final estimates:

- KBC-style estimate (example): engineering fees and build-cost ranges were shown; staff summarized an illustrative total of about $375,000 if all three septic/system upgrades were done together (staff described this as an experience-based, preliminary rule-of-thumb figure). Staff also presented an example figure of about $265,000 to replace the park's existing sewer system to support current operations (that figure was described in the meeting as an approximate or \"educated guess\" that will require full engineering to confirm).

Council discussion and requests

Council members pressed staff for more empirical, drilled-out cost history and asked why the number of logged work orders appeared low relative to the size of the proposed investment. Several councilmembers requested staff return with clearer documentation of overtime costs, rental equipment charges and multi-year maintenance totals to justify capital replacement or larger investment.

Floodplain and environmental exposure

Staff acknowledged that portions of the park infrastructure sit in a floodplain and that rising lake levels can expose and stress utility lines; staff described instances in which exposed lines required repeat attention after water receded. Staff said the park's septic systems were currently certified under existing county requirements but that older buried components and leach fields in the lakeshore area make long-term planning and a full engineering study necessary.

Next steps

Staff said it will pursue more detailed engineering scopes, reference checks for the quoted engineering firm, and a site-level soil and design study to firm up costs. Council asked that staff separate: (a) the minimum work required to keep the park operating safely, (b) enhancements that would improve programming and accessibility (for example ADA launches and new courtesy docks), and (c) the additional incremental costs if cabins are added to the park program. Council also requested clearer breakout of historic overtime and work-order costs related to recurring repairs.

Ending

Staff presented preliminary, professional-estimate ranges but council did not authorize construction. Council directed staff to return with full, engineered cost estimates and clarified lists of required versus optional work before any decisions on cabins or larger capital projects.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Highlands - City Council - Jul 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council heard a staff update on Pilot Knoll Park infrastructure and a preliminary cost picture for replacing septic and water lines and upgrading the gatehouse, boat ramp and ADA access; staff and a consultant offered preliminary, differing cost ranges and council asked for more empirical data before deciding.","taxTitle","Highlands City Council, Highlands, Harris County, Texas","taxId",72997,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6508874,"Council reviews Safe Routes to School survey; staff to deploy extra crossing support for first two weeks",1473,6571000,8044000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5453261-138dd6d64087516277fecbe6c7e78bb1&start=6571&end=8044","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5453261-138dd6d64087516277fecbe6c7e78bb1/thumbnail_6571000.jpg","/articles/6508874/Texas/Council-reviews-Safe-Routes-to-School-survey-staff-to-deploy-extra-crossing-support-for-first-two-weeks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6508874-6481af69af62e45c51c4dd024f4e4b4a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770394047&Signature=MSoP9ER~5Q5e68x4wsJWppNeb8n3bcnnmuJKWfM50eHXXhcBA2KKtB7EDq4Dcm05GmtRmAsUEpiqzfCF1afrl-A8Ils6loVrNRIHKbLbbSoXZVWvhn8e5dl38yKXW22cvl5rrThlMJOdmFepjnquP9R4ZEdl~dyEBtANLlm64KUWTWCmKZKsynL-LphwYS8Lx6GkG40k6LF8q5HC4ayOs8rUhnwDJMqySJ2w66i0GwMaTRodJ2lxLQVQnei7wNpkrkXlFKPklSxyhWccMcfyDsd4uBPlga4WHzypv4Y8J0gi-B3XzPdA9~pKP~D5ypX-YP3Ol2XldcBnY65TB~LMHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Highlands City Council received results of a Safe Routes to School survey at its July 22 early work session and discussed a recommended staffing plan for the start of the upcoming school year.

Staff summary and survey results

City staff and police reported that the city ran a public survey (June 16\u0000July 17) on walking and micromobility routes after School District boundary changes. Staff said they received 319 survey responses and that the largest share of respondents identified McAuliffe Elementary as the school their child would attend; respondents were split on whether they would walk or use micromobility devices versus being driven.

Top concerns and locations

Respondents and staff cited recurring concerns at several locations: Highland Village Road at Willow Creek Estates; Briar Hill Boulevard at the DKH crossing; Highland Shores (the community center) and Highland Shores Boulevard at Hillside; and the FM 407/Barnett area serving Heritage Elementary. Several responses flagged illegal parking and narrow sidewalks on West Rosedale.

Staff recommendation and operational plan

The police chief and city staff recommended deploying crossing-guard and officer support focused on Willow Creek/Highland Village Road and Briar Hill at DKH for the start of school, with a program of heightened monitoring during the first two weeks. Staff said the first two weeks of school historically generate the most need for extra presence and that the city will tally crossing activity and adjust locations and staffing as needed.

Crossing-guard staffing and budget

Staff said crossing guards are part-time positions and that the department needs six total crossing-guard positions to meet the recommended coverage; one guard retired on short notice, so staff has begun recruitment. Staff estimated the incremental annual cost to add one guard (if required) would be roughly $7,000. Staff also noted partial funding through Denton County and said the police department traditionally supplements crossing-guard staffing with officers and auxiliary personnel during the initial school days.

Council discussion and council requests

Councilmembers supported the recommendation to staff Willow Creek and Briar Hill at DKH during the start of school. Councilmembers asked staff to evaluate additional, targeted measures such as lighted crossing-warning signs downstream of high-traffic crossings where vehicle queues and sight-line issues occur. Staff said they would track counts and adjust positions after the two-week monitoring period.

Ending

Staff said it will follow up with a field tally of crossing usage during the first two weeks of school and return with recommended permanent changes if monitoring shows a persistent need.","A city survey received more than 300 responses identifying crossings and sidewalk gaps near three receiving elementary schools; staff recommended temporary enhanced coverage the first two school weeks and to monitor crossings before seeking permanent changes.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6508876,"Highlands City Council reviews FY25–26 revenue funds, debt service and capital priorities",2927,483000,3410000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5453261-138dd6d64087516277fecbe6c7e78bb1&start=483&end=3410","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5453261-138dd6d64087516277fecbe6c7e78bb1/thumbnail_483000.jpg","/articles/6508876/Texas/Highlands-City-Council-reviews-FY2526-revenue-funds-debt-service-and-capital-priorities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6508876-b3e3d429f64cca0dcf6cb0f76c83e377/orig.mp4?Expires=1770394047&Signature=S3SQ6Rsvp78roLTMhVr8puZnw71ga8nz5kg9E2eIryrZrqTXNFj1SgK4ogNQ5DPTQNMPRQOwjWM-ljYDnlem7xYoTULzNaya7OqLfsYUvNcPbJQq28-tKesCx6KEauczzBsPynJ0RN4vyQJF-BsQVhDQnZtu88M2w6tbeBwPCv5HP1VVp5v8LOAhahX~CJ4l90KBwV6vKt91D1SLz4ZK-N4pFb5U4qR2mDjZP7Bxm3tScNJC5RDsiptBuX8w2ScWKtRbmkA6ek1bvGplxiT9Y-UzO79jMCvJ7j2pUdHhjLj7arPk7zf2xKzzkiiUEQN-V4Ks8oMeV2Q~ggnlr-nxrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Highlands City Council on July 22 received a staff presentation updating the city's special revenue and utility funds and discussing capital priorities and requested supplementals for the FY25\u000026FY26 budget cycle.

The presentation identified an unplanned increase in principal payments for 2025 (staff said about $30,000 was not included in the adopted budget estimate) and noted staff's plan to issue 2025 certificates of obligation to fund road reconstruction projects including Holly Shores Boulevard and Holland Village Road reconstruction. Staff also presented fund-by-fund materials on court technology and building-security fees, park-impact (development) fees expected from the Magnolia Village project, peg/cable fees, and the utility/drainage funds.

Why it matters: the items on the table affect the city's projected revenues, reserve level and the near-term tax-rate/tax-note decisions that will be part of the formal budget adoption process this fall.

Staff highlights and council questions

- Debt service: staff said the 2025 budget did not capture roughly $30,000 in principal payments that arose while a tax note issuance was in process. Staff also presented an estimate for first-year payments tied to a planned certificates of obligation issuance in 2025 to fund local street reconstruction; the final debt schedule will depend on pricing and the actual issuance.

- Court and administrative fees: staff noted municipal-court technology and building-security fees are collected on citations and restricted for those uses (for example, a small technology fee per citation funds court video-magnification and related equipment; a separate per-citation fee supports building security purchases).

- Development/park impact fees: staff said Magnolia Village (roughly 25 residential units) could generate neighborhood and community park impact fees for area 4; timing of collections was described as dependent on when permits/plans are finalized.

- PEG/cable fees: staff reported declining cable-related revenue (peg fees) and said the city plans to prioritize longer-lived capital purchases because the revenue stream is shrinking.

- Utility and drainage funds: staff reviewed recent utility-rate actions (a 40-cent increase last year) and said the drainage fund balance is declining; they noted a possible discussion next year about another rate increase (staff mentioned a potential 30-cent increment as a planning example). Staff described drainage maintenance needs (dredging, vegetation control, mosquito control) and equipment purchases scheduled in the replacement plan.

- Streets and parks capital: staff presented combined spending plans drawn from the 2021 bond and potential 2025 COs, citing a plan to spend roughly $6.0 million between those two sources on street projects in 2026 and an estimated $4.8 million for parks-related projects in the coming year.

Supplementals and fiscal impact

Council reviewed a set of supplemental requests (public-safety technology and equipment, fire and police radios and gear, park maintenance and small capital items, recreation program items and accessibility work). Staff reported preliminary council votes on those supplementals and said the subset receiving majority support would cost roughly $286,000 (staff presented the figure as an approximate recommended package). Staff said incorporating the recommended supplementals into the general fund would increase the projected operating gap and reduce the ending fund balance; staff reported the illustrative impact as an increased projected shortfall of about $2.2 million and a projected ending general-fund balance of about $8.7 million (roughly a 34% reserve) under the scenario shown to council.

Council action and next steps

- Consent items: Council approved the consent agenda items (minutes and three resolutions, listed by the city clerk in the meeting packet) by voice vote, 6\u0000\u00009 (motion by Councilman Feaster; second recorded by council). No items were pulled for separate discussion.

- Calendar: staff reminded council of the budget calendar: utility-fund review and tax-rate consideration are scheduled for an August meeting, followed by additional general-fund discussions in late August and public hearings/adoption in September.

Councilmembers asked for additional detail on specific items (for example, a clearer breakout of costs and multi-year work-order history for drainage and utility repairs) and asked staff to return with refined estimates. Staff said some numbers presented were preliminary and that final debt sizing and interest cost will depend on actual market pricing when certificates are issued.

Ending

Council members asked that staff schedule two formal budget review meetings before final adoption and requested additional data on multi-year maintenance costs and the rationale for certain proposed capital expenditures. Staff said it would return with refined engineering and cost estimates and with scheduled dates for the next budget workshops.","At an early work session July 22, Highlands City Council received staff\u0000briefings on special revenue and utility funds, planned certificate issuances for street projects, park and drainage capital needs and a slate of supplemental requests that would lower the city\u0000fund balance if approved.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Pilot Knoll Park: city staff outline water, sewer and accessibility needs; engineering quotes vary

Council reviews Safe Routes to School survey; staff to deploy extra crossing support for first two weeks

Highlands City Council reviews FY25–26 revenue funds, debt service and capital priorities