[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6139564,"mediaKeyId","5580740-1f461c24de0ee1377017995e0d7cc0dd","parentId",5580740,"title","Friendswood to pay reduced settlement for Southeast Water Purification Plant raw‑water share; city to amortize $2.1M over 10 years","audioSeconds",1410,"startMs",5310000,"endMs",6720000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5580740-1f461c24de0ee1377017995e0d7cc0dd&start=5310&end=6720","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5580740-1f461c24de0ee1377017995e0d7cc0dd/thumbnail_5310000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6139564/Friendswood-City/Galveston-County/Texas/Friendswood-to-pay-reduced-settlement-for-Southeast-Water-Purification-Plant-rawwater-share-city-to-amortize-21M-over-10-years","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6139564-0bd8b05dd059309194d2fa9c9654a1ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184016&Signature=DbxQWIf0rANXEM33kf1sqYI0yybikyuLAlRfb0TsAzLTb1qQbn9X3NBhJXzbhbevUMrITlu2Ny7DytNfLGMiJ6j0MLRAkJRiMOG7UKArkQ6YZuDnMIv1cD6TiHsZw5YxtFq7Uy-0gTeo~k6rkUFLMfueQMC5wzkcKWI~1uMfvMdG46wsYji4ah0gpmB-~KC1ejR-XesI1CB6yMfSa9UTiqWC~jCHM4TLpD9cF-GSZ2Gn7kk3OpQM6IPH2z9OR~e3kI9L-hmXL-lBGv5oMcomjnBj9RCssApDQnWi0C3SQ~wvxMZL82X13DDDJWXMpUNK0Cwg2XidgsUcccZR4hB3NA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Friendswood TX","date","2025-08-14T11:17:23.23Z","article","City officials told the council Aug. 4 that Friendswood has reached a settlement with the City of Houston resolving outstanding raw‑water cost obligations tied to the Southeast Water Purification Plant.

City Manager Murad explained the background: the city previously funded capital expansions at the regional plant but had not been billed by Houston for a long‑standing portion of ongoing raw‑water costs. Staff said the city had set aside funds for the liability for years and that, in recent negotiations, Houston agreed to a settlement at roughly 60 cents on the dollar.

Murad summarized the impact: the city’s historical share had been “roughly 3 and a half million dollars,” he said, and the settlement reduces Friendswood’s obligation to about $2.1 million. Council authorized a payment schedule that will amortize the amount over 10 years; staff noted Houston is not charging interest on the settlement. City officials said the settlement preserves roughly $1.4 million in city funds that otherwise would have been used immediately for the obligation.

Why it matters
The Southeast Water Purification Plant supplies treated surface water to multiple regional participants; resolving the outstanding balance clarifies Friendswood’s long‑term water cost obligations and affects the water and sewer fund cashflow and debt planning. City staff said the result lets the city defer the next bond issuance by the amount saved through the settlement.

Related employee benefits action
Separately, council acting as the City of Friendswood Employee Benefit Trust received an RFP result from the city’s benefits broker. Staff reported that the incumbent insurer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, proposed a 2.9% decrease in medical premiums for the coming plan year; the trustees authorized staff to negotiate final contract terms and return to the board with the executed agreement.

Council action
Council approved the settlement agreement and the ten-year payment schedule and authorized execution of related documents. The Employee Benefit Trust authorized negotiation of final insurance contract terms with the city’s broker and recommendation of the insurer change if terms are finalized.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Friendswood City Council & Friendswood Employee Benefit Trust Joint Meeting - August 04, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City Manager Murad said Friendswood negotiated a settlement with Houston that reduces a long‑standing raw‑water payment obligation on the Southeast Water Purification Plant to about $2.1 million, payable over 10 years with no interest.","taxTitle","Friendswood City, Galveston County, Texas","taxId",55593,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6139568,"Friendswood engineering update: Black Hawk work resumes, waterline and parkway projects move forward",287,2233000,2520000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5580740-1f461c24de0ee1377017995e0d7cc0dd&start=2233&end=2520","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5580740-1f461c24de0ee1377017995e0d7cc0dd/thumbnail_2233000.jpg","/articles/6139568/Friendswood-City/Galveston-County/Texas/Friendswood-engineering-update-Black-Hawk-work-resumes-waterline-and-parkway-projects-move-forward","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6139568-23e8f2d41b89baf05126e5e25c8fc0b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184016&Signature=VxIODzNue3su6x5dpv5tIoIDZvqG9j8jS2nj72UWyyWkLQce3QmS~jRcU6YnsZKh0JmzPmC-pcSpk5dU-8IBtjWzjR1C74BvIGtAMrMwvMyQhouj0PCyR~InGdPTUXro2v1mrKdu1K~FFOBFYU~~EuQ2ax80W7~fD1y8B-1ER91vY342H7~woj~amvEkKbMVVbhJrz~14Cd4tl3UIdztGZ4mgD7Q1kDLh4CxE7KD6Z4OOHeNuzLTvOLPxy4QTcHAAixenx36f3XjRVaTlsGrIFwkAjETkACMOn7v3VfeJD5nqyijVADK6aytjhPqeTyKsVgMwchEq47N3sA51HpMGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Friendswood Director of Engineering Hill Arias told the council Aug. 4 that crews will restart work to complete Black Hawk Boulevard Phase 2B after the city resolved outstanding insurance/contract issues and secured a replacement contractor.

Arias said the city has reached a resolution with Liberty Mutual and expects an emergency contractor to mobilize within “the next week or two,” and that the contractor estimates it can complete the scope in “8 weeks, closer to 6 weeks if he has some good weather cooperating.” The council later approved a tender‑release and substitution agreement with Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and Westbrook Contractors LLC so the replacement contractor can proceed.

Nut graf: The engineering update covered multiple infrastructure projects that tie into city water capacity and regional transportation planning, from local road reconstruction to federally funded corridor improvements, and set expected timeframes for near-term work.

Other project highlights
- Black Hawk Boulevard: Phase 2B (west half completion) is scheduled to resume immediately and could be finished in roughly six to eight weeks if weather allows. Phase 2C (final east portion) remains planned for advertisement after Phase 2B is complete and is likely to finish in 2027; staff said 2C cannot be advertised until 2B is physically complete and as-built drawings are available.
- Clear Creek 24-inch waterline: Crew work is progressing from the activity center area toward the creek and will cross under Clear Creek before tying into the Black Hawk system; staff said paving restoration will follow pipe installation.
- Water Surface Plant No. 1 tank replacement: A ground-storage tank that failed structural inspection will be replaced; the site also required moving an automated metering infrastructure tower before tank construction can proceed.
- Active transportation and Parkway Corridor work: The city’s active transportation plan has drawn 68 residents to date and will include steering-committee and stakeholder meetings; Parkway corridor engineering and a TxDOT‑funded package of intersection improvements remain in progress through H-GAC and TxDOT. Arias said the city has about $2.6 million in TxDOT/H‑GAC projects with no local match, but noted delivery depends on state timelines and environmental clearances.

Council members raised safety and traffic‑flow concerns at construction zones. One councilor asked staff to explore temporary speed‑reduction measures through work zones; staff said they will investigate possible options.

Actions
Council authorized a tender‑release and substitution agreement to allow Westbrook Contractors to take over the Black Hawk repackaged Phase 2B work following Liberty Mutual’s contract exit. Staff said this will enable the city to finish the west-half work and then advertise Phase 2C.","City engineering reported progress on Black Hawk Boulevard Phase 2B, a 24-inch Clear Creek waterline extension, a replacement ground-storage tank at Water Surface Plant No. 1, and regional projects coordinated with TxDOT and H-GAC. Council approved a tender-release agreement to allow a new contractor to finish Black Hawk work.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6139573,"Friendswood staff presents FY2026 budget and proposes 52.6746¢ tax rate; public hearings set",370,3600000,3970000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5580740-1f461c24de0ee1377017995e0d7cc0dd&start=3600&end=3970","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5580740-1f461c24de0ee1377017995e0d7cc0dd/thumbnail_3600000.jpg","/articles/6139573/Friendswood-City/Galveston-County/Texas/Friendswood-staff-presents-FY2026-budget-and-proposes-526746-tax-rate-public-hearings-set","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6139573-ddf79404baa9b6eeb5f2ca9121a99798/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184016&Signature=Ah~4igoudUJreapLfgAqYU-bHSteIpEnQFe9a~RvOqacpgJSmz0OH9xeEdhTEvDcoeP7IarBrFy~ivBJL60bPrvLT7Uv4f8ETLclU~sQsZUckmiG9x1rSJG3n52zleXrd7Lgv2-zEvhlD8NKFU5hJUE4FzgPlKYjVDoDfwuubEsLHka~FQ1KbbkPa9~OVbywfWFBNJS--BQwr6PSadH4sGWD1beUQUGc1TKnYiVYFZ02NXRaw8md3ISXYwtZZAm-m4eGvIK7zmn4jduQ0QWdvgal1FyzJqlYzmjirW9aDs087sg6IPTz7gC3W9-I0~4XohDdCb1Bef66K5p-Z4~8nQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Friendswood Finance Director Rhonda Blasmas on Aug. 4 presented the City of Friendswood’s proposed fiscal year 2025–26 municipal budget, describing an all-funds spending plan of $116.8 million and recommending a proposed citywide property tax rate of 52.6746¢ per $100 of assessed value.

Blasmas told the council that the proposed document was delivered July 31 and that councilors may still amend the budget before adoption: “Before I get started, I'd like to remind you that we can make changes to the proposed… budget up until adoption.”

Why it matters: the proposal would fund operating increases across city departments, advance capital projects funded by bonds and grants, and cover projected increases in personnel and insurance costs. If adopted at the proposed level, the rate is about 1.26¢ higher than the current Friendswood rate of 51.41272¢ and would produce additional revenue to fund decision packages and deferred maintenance.

Key figures and context
- All‑funds proposed revenue and expenditures: $116,800,000.
- General fund proposed revenue: $45,900,000 (about $4.1 million above FY2025 adopted).
- Personnel costs: an increase of roughly $3.2 million year over year; the budget includes a 2.75% merit pool and hiring requests prioritized by department directors.
- Deferred maintenance: $500,000 included to address aging infrastructure.
- Decision packages: $2.8 million in prioritized department requests (approximately $2.5 million of that for staffing); roughly $290,000 one‑time and $2.7 million ongoing.
- Water and sewer fund proposed revenue: $23.5 million; reflects a planned utility rate change effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Blasmas and staff walked the council through revenue sources. Approximately 40% of overall revenue is categorized as taxes (property, sales and franchise), and the budget also relies on the use of prior-year fund balance to complete grant- and bond-funded capital work. She explained fund-balance use as money already received for projects that is appropriated as revenue to offset current-year expenditures.

Council discussion and next steps
Council members discussed the tradeoffs of holding the tax rate flat versus funding the staffing “true‑up” and other decision packages. City Manager Murad and finance staff outlined that certain costs are contractual or otherwise hard to avoid (debt service, insurance, and some contract increases) and that if council chooses a lower tax rate staff would need direction on what to cut from the base budget or from the prioritized decision package list.

Procedural actions taken
- Council voted to set a public hearing on the FY2026 proposed budget for Aug. 25 at 5:30 p.m. (motion from Council Member Allesor; second from Mayor Pro Tem Metrank; motion carried).
- Council voted to propose a tax rate of 52.6746¢ per $100 valuation and scheduled the statutorily required public hearing on the proposed tax rate for Sept. 8 at 6:00 p.m. (motion and second recorded in the August 4 meeting minutes).

What to watch
Council will continue budget workshops (staff scheduled an additional workshop for Aug. 13) and will hear public testimony at the Aug. 25 hearing on the proposed FY2026 budget; the tax-rate public hearing is scheduled for Sept. 8. Any final tax-rate adoption or budget amendments must comply with state notice requirements and the city charter.","Finance Director Rhonda Blasmas presented a $116.8 million all-funds FY2026 proposed budget and a recommended citywide property tax rate of 52.6746¢ per $100 of valuation. Council set a public hearing on the budget for Aug. 25 and a public hearing on the proposed tax rate for Sept. 8.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6139559,"Resident urges city to maximize storage at Dixie Farm Road detention basin to enable creek conveyance work",216,1024000,1240000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5580740-1f461c24de0ee1377017995e0d7cc0dd&start=1024&end=1240","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5580740-1f461c24de0ee1377017995e0d7cc0dd/thumbnail_1024000.jpg","/articles/6139559/Friendswood-City/Galveston-County/Texas/Resident-urges-city-to-maximize-storage-at-Dixie-Farm-Road-detention-basin-to-enable-creek-conveyance-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6139559-5cee91494509821577442a96a46ee985/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184016&Signature=ie0atWC9tZ5ptYzO7LUFeZ1ZpfT3Gtk~PeEBueMCcbLcWBl-N1xnv~8Ss30HFnh14Ia0~Sx7jVbptARdKmL3SgvSblOrYVEDc7xCcBpR6H0KwlkCb9DDM1WfX3NslK3fRRJ8Az7ntRumYEnDHONf3wJbKrct6izzh6mvriZbkmk4lqalvKk5IXw~Snxask8RBmhKGmmTZofdjtE4yXAdSS~NagO11CGtK4kEAOo1J3og4Tlze7olwbe--BJ4P1VQht4tn7VD-vT9kFL2eosAO7xwJHwF3ST7LmLwjq2WiOGmwU6o~ALZzeAzKp8pdIMCqcaumTVRc2RSXmVKMsaQKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Don Johnson, a Friendswood resident, used his public‑comment time at the Aug. 4 meeting to urge the council to maximize storage capacity at the Dixie Farm Road detention basin and to press for additional detention basins upstream in the watershed.

Johnson said he had been monitoring the mass grading near the basin and learned the mass‑grading contract is nearing completion. He asked that the city’s forthcoming partner meeting on basin design “decide at that meeting that we maximize the storage capacity of that basin.”

He linked detention capacity to the city’s ability to proceed with conveyance projects downstream: “You've got to have them if you're ever going to do conveyance,” he said, noting that conveyance work requires mitigation for any additional flow the city would send into the creek.

Nut graf: Johnson urged a strategic, multi‑site approach — not just the Dixie Farm parcel — and said Whitcomb and Blackhawk properties also need basins to make a broader conveyance program feasible; his remarks were a public comment and not a council action item.

What the resident said and what it means
- Dixie Farm basin: Johnson asked that the city and basin partners maximize storage capacity in current designs.
- Other sites: He named Whitcomb and Blackhawk and cited Imperial Estates as already completed; he said a chain of basins is necessary to justify conveyance and mitigation downstream.
- Funding and partners: Johnson referenced past multi‑party contributions to regional projects and said the city should seek partner and state assistance for future basins; he did not present a detailed funding plan.

Council response and next steps
City staff noted a partner meeting on the Dixie Farm Road Detention Basin would take place later in August; no formal council action was taken during the public‑comment period. Staff and council can refer the resident’s comments to management for follow‑up or place a future agenda item on a meeting for formal consideration.

Clarifying note: Johnson cited past county and city contributions to regional conveyance projects in describing how mitigation was previously handled; the exact historical dollar figures he referenced were not presented as precise, auditable amounts during his remarks.","During public comment a resident urged the council and staff to maximize storage at the Dixie Farm Road detention basin and pursue additional upstream basins (Whitcomb, Blackhawk, Imperial Estates) so the city can move forward with conveyance improvements along the creek.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Friendswood to pay reduced settlement for Southeast Water Purification Plant raw‑water share; city to amortize $2.1M over 10 years

Friendswood engineering update: Black Hawk work resumes, waterline and parkway projects move forward

Friendswood staff presents FY2026 budget and proposes 52.6746¢ tax rate; public hearings set

Resident urges city to maximize storage at Dixie Farm Road detention basin to enable creek conveyance work