[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",5974004,"mediaKeyId","5829800-5186d282a4dba8d8c730fb7b91076414","parentId",5829800,"title","Utilize.co founder pitches meter-based leak detection and predictive outage mapping to LCRA","audioSeconds",152,"startMs",28000,"endMs",180000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5829800-5186d282a4dba8d8c730fb7b91076414&start=28&end=180","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5829800-5186d282a4dba8d8c730fb7b91076414/thumbnail_28000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5974004/Texas/Utilizeco-founder-pitches-meter-based-leak-detection-and-predictive-outage-mapping-to-LCRA","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5974004-9bb84529ed113c60dbf463f367087eaa/orig.mp4?Expires=1770689525&Signature=jls2xJySR32gt5lIcrPSu4b9wltJHe8y7A0zEWnpfnoZtn2WwDKgYOkEf2l6n3T45K2MipDkculLpVBAk1Zk4Yz0INEXOQmcYKVzGaE7OMlJylYmjeVkkWjWL7vfJp81VzZcD4IO10q1qZw5WZ~PhsjgKT-opoBWX4TacmwDLch61A-SOtPKXZXpEn1Yf0y1nnTmPmMOqcCeJ4YM9oQgjwsOAgNJQKULL7haWPSd2pouqFKQTBvfAiDdml5s2ZRekXTBtfw~CpVHE5gdmY66gqNOvbIznrbYcIVwL09HievjToB6sPzFESOYCjfbmqg9jkt9c~dN0Q-Hj23cohYOWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA)","date","2025-09-25T21:05:28.6Z","article","Kenny, representing utilize.co, used the public-comment period of the Sept. 24 LCRA board meeting to describe a utility-analytics effort that he said can use existing meter data to detect leaks and predict outages.

“My name is Kenny. I'm with utilize.co, which is my company. We're working on utility analytics,” he told the board. He said he has spoken with about 50 property managers in the Austin–San Antonio region who reported unexpectedly large monthly water bills, and he argued that meter analytics could detect leaks earlier than current practices.

Kenny described two technical tracks: using master meter analytics to detect issues across multiple units served by a single meter and using individual-meter analytics to detect leaks ahead of time. He also said his team is exploring outage and predictive outage maps and that some outage-related data is publicly available; he asked to open a conversation with LCRA staff and customers who use such data.

Kenny said he has developers interested in collaborating and invited staff to speak with him after the meeting. A director suggested LCRA’s conservation committee would follow up: “Right after this meeting…get your information,” the director said, offering a path for staff follow-up.

Kenny left contact information verbally during his remarks (spoken as \"My email is kennyutilize dot co and it's utilized like analyze dot co\").","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","LCRA Board meeting Sept. 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A founder of utilize.co addressed the LCRA board Sept. 24 asking for engagement on pilot projects that use existing meter data to detect leaks and develop predictive outage maps; conservation committee members offered to follow up.","taxTitle","Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), Departments and Agencies, Executive, Texas","taxId",17433,"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},5974007,"LCRA public safety chief briefs board on history, roles and accreditation",460,1190000,1650000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5829800-5186d282a4dba8d8c730fb7b91076414&start=1190&end=1650","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5829800-5186d282a4dba8d8c730fb7b91076414/thumbnail_1190000.jpg","/articles/5974007/Texas/LCRA-public-safety-chief-briefs-board-on-history-roles-and-accreditation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5974007-b6649069bbd5947719bcfddd23359b43/orig.mp4?Expires=1770689525&Signature=A5rkZpGj9Mu9Pg2LKyujh68lzi-4fAeWCjYGbWBo5rUqpO5-9M01JtRKXZHD89V44Hk67UbIXMgV28edNRdV2Z9kshWhqWrtjIbbKLWpMyCVJjWdARlODnvSLEa3EA8lC4rd00B7QFl3xb-SwSZLYtDUisj-Kl4WfT0nNrK0KhwG3Kc5ZM9gVmDXBjmW7ZjYrcdvjBaHbKlgBABGheZc8sIgwpt0NOk~LOQ7d3rLvmicINWLYFTSaALYvDEp8ZzvqLJouAzFlGW2NZbl1QrOOkVF4hadvjawA2vSfxMN97pZPdFTEb9X328jVvPwXGhSvQAFNyX~o5N1Qa1rWq0o7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Damon Dern, chief of LCRA Public Safety, briefed the board Sept. 24 on the department’s origin, mission, structure and recent activities, including flood and fire response and a recent accreditation audit.

“We are here to support LCRA's mission,” Dern said, summarizing the department’s purpose as “protecting the people, assets and interests of LCRA and the natural resources of Texas.” He reviewed the agency’s origin—noting early security work in the 1930s under Claude Shipp and the later reestablishment of an LCRA police function under John Wood in 1979—and described how the department’s responsibilities have evolved.

Dern outlined five primary functions: securing LCRA infrastructure (employees, generating facilities, transmission assets, telecommunications, and dams); enforcing laws on LCRA lands; enforcing laws on LCRA-managed water; protecting environmental resources under LCRA stewardship; and providing emergency response and resilience support to local jurisdictions during disasters. He said Public Safety responded during recent floods in “Burnett, Atlanta and Travis Counties” and has assisted with fires.

Staffing and capabilities described in the presentation included full-time rangers, patrol rangers, ranger investigators, an on-site 24/7 police dispatch and alarm monitoring center, a critical infrastructure protection team, and embedded intelligence analysts who coordinate with the FBI, Texas Department of Public Safety and regional fusion centers. Dern said the agency has 24 full-time rangers (15 designated as patrol rangers) and four ranger investigators; the dispatch center has eight dispatchers and three alarm monitors.

Dern also announced the department’s continued accreditation under the Texas Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (administered by the Texas Police Chiefs Association), a voluntary review the department said it has maintained for 12 years. Dern said the accreditation process includes an annual self-audit and a comprehensive external audit every four years; LCRA recently completed its fourth accreditation cycle.

Dern presented identification wallets and pins to board members as an acknowledgment of their governance role; he clarified the presentation was ceremonial and did not change board authority. The board thanked Public Safety staff for their work and said it would continue to support resourcing for the department.","Chief Damon Dern told the LCRA board on Sept. 24 that Public Safety secures LCRA infrastructure, enforces laws on LCRA lands and water, assists in emergency response, and maintains Texas Law Enforcement Accreditation status; he outlined staffing, coverage and recent responses to floods and fires.",{"_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},5974012,"LCRA board approves $10 million increase to KGA Architecture contract for facility expansions",81,1013000,1094000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5829800-5186d282a4dba8d8c730fb7b91076414&start=1013&end=1094","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5829800-5186d282a4dba8d8c730fb7b91076414/thumbnail_1013000.jpg","/articles/5974012/Texas/LCRA-board-approves-10-million-increase-to-KGA-Architecture-contract-for-facility-expansions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5974012-296f99b10088faa4e7690e2ade6face5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770689525&Signature=gg4pNWA0LPBRsNKhOyR9h9Z5nJPQpzQ9lms8ztglV1an9hZsPYjF05r~Dw1ZIjqQ6C5ZpPGCC8TwmtvdPLO67H4PKeUfQFhlJgUNDh83FIa2Vh7HHuccQMZO3KVwflRA63CC6ElbnElMuWB~zD8QzdhBxUpVuBso777JPQlz0ZxRz2rkW4NTd74cO1g-hz4Qa6fo7ukM5b2orCnPZG8Cd2GpPhY3apev59opp21AOuaV1e9Tr674y2-V4LLdCMRpk3NrYQUCrhrtv22lMZ9dFUjceIyIWBsLJVtnA3D1Gb1qWnJlXUvCdMN2NSE-REosZuSj4NXdgJlsTvOuFqpdww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Sept. 24 meeting the Lower Colorado River Authority board approved staff’s request to add $10,000,000 to an existing contract with KGA Architecture to support architectural services for facility expansions and upgrades anticipated through fiscal year 2028.

Matt Chavez, who presented the item, said the additional funds will support upcoming facility expansions and upgrades tied to LCRA Transmission Service Corporation work across the state. Chavez said staff is recommending approval.

The board moved, seconded and approved the item by voice vote. No roll-call tally was recorded in the meeting transcript.","Board approved staff request to add $10 million to the existing KGA Architecture contract to support anticipated facility expansions and upgrades through fiscal year 2028.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5974017,"LCRA staff to extend $200 million private bank note facility to support capital financing",121,764000,885000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5829800-5186d282a4dba8d8c730fb7b91076414&start=764&end=885","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5829800-5186d282a4dba8d8c730fb7b91076414/thumbnail_764000.jpg","/articles/5974017/Texas/LCRA-staff-to-extend-200-million-private-bank-note-facility-to-support-capital-financing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5974017-d426ea15cf10e8d1b35c51af0416ad02/orig.mp4?Expires=1770689525&Signature=gnaavcUluuRDHVCN48Q1wDwDrGW81WtXvQOHoWsUW729mOzU4lG4OOBRgp4TbiZxueRoUrPyHdkUU51n96~RZtyzjg4oN1dUMbKfYuPpaZhSBrndy6k4wDtdnAqpfsWY7aXK78TwgcQa57nK27nOXRhk36HBmIekFypUxvgOUnGFQPuBx2B1XaJWx12m8jYj9I624PVz1RZ2n4dvwRGQoihGvF8NB9xmuz-6A8YX~FrfPk~7nD9TljrejdWYkO4FW9xSzifqYwDtMWYSo5OeGwj1v1xb5wBr3nk6CSX7pek2ZAZ6ukvDLz-q1vfG0j73rjBi9RnJusz-qy3mhXrxxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lower Colorado River Authority board on Sept. 24 authorized staff to negotiate and execute an extension of an existing credit facility intended to support issuance of tax-exempt and taxable private bank notes on behalf of LCRA.

Finance director Jim Travis told the board, “This agenda item is requesting authorization to negotiate and execute an extension of an existing credit facility that we have…that will allow us to support issuance of tax exempt and taxable private bank notes on behalf of LCRA.” He described the facility as a short-term financing tool used to fund construction and other capital activity until projects are converted to long-term debt.

Staff said the privately placed facility is for $200,000,000 and that they are seeking a three-year extension (the facility was initially a three-year deal). Travis said the two-step financing process—issuing short-term notes and later refunding into long-term debt—can yield lower overall debt service costs and provide timing flexibility for long-term bond issuance.

Travis told the board the facility currently has about $150,000,000 outstanding and that the facility expires in November; staff expects to execute the extension prior to expiration. In response to a board question, staff said aggregate revolving lines available are about $750,000,000 (the exact amount currently advanced was not provided at the meeting).

The board moved and approved the item by voice vote. No detailed roll-call tally was provided in the meeting record.","At the Sept. 24 meeting staff requested authority to extend an existing $200 million private bank note credit facility for three years to support short-term financing of LCRA capital projects; board approved staff to negotiate and execute the extension.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5974022,"LCRA says fiscal 2025 was a record year for community grants; adds two $100,000 award slots for 2026",179,246000,425000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5829800-5186d282a4dba8d8c730fb7b91076414&start=246&end=425","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5829800-5186d282a4dba8d8c730fb7b91076414/thumbnail_246000.jpg","/articles/5974022/Texas/LCRA-says-fiscal-2025-was-a-record-year-for-community-grants-adds-two-100000-award-slots-for-2026","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5974022-a4d44ce017714a0c3ae10d0e780cacd0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770689525&Signature=aPWX5qfbJPC2VTLBrgs8k3Y9YgwuqnTp6-ba7V7bfjZJnuowSS20EBdHVXYf3dHzOAmydiotwXx9gUPXVNEljuYJGzOK6DKEtfViJ3fg2NLx2RDEXBP9YhGMujDtOzEkyzlxnCq~YifmmN5TbTGWNqksq~7I8q1S-W3uEwmzlhxbWnRqmCtAKMXrZfhMTKqKWJlqpbPWo~HXD7k9e0UzuaZtZZTLa-uLD8hCXJqoeLFmO510MBZXAGAHcEnz2ZqLZVvmTSsLgF0xnlqdsselRLTHj4zYDU7Xp0h0WXl3VRvW8ViNWdTx4uwohHKcm9jBld72DsrkxBwddMPrYa0hxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lower Colorado River Authority told its board on Sept. 24 that its Community Grants program awarded 82 grants in fiscal 2025, totaling almost $2 million, and that the program will add two competitive grants of up to $100,000 each in fiscal 2026. The announcement came during a video presentation and remarks by the review committee chair, Meg Volcher.

Volcher said the program has become more competitive and that LCRA “shattered all previous years records” in fiscal 2025, receiving 306 applications and awarding 82 grants. She said that when LCRA grant awards are combined with community-raised matching funds, the total impact exceeded $5,000,000.

Why it matters: LCRA’s community grants are intended to partner with local organizations on projects that serve customers and communities in LCRA’s service area. The additional larger awards for fiscal 2026 are intended to expand that reach.

Board members and staff described project examples shown in the presentation. A video segment noted a $50,000 award to the Danavang Heritage Museum in Wharton County to assist with hurricane damage repairs. Volcher said the program has funded projects statewide and that applications for the next regular round will be available on LCRA’s website on Jan. 1.

Staff thanked grants team members Sheila Slagle and Liz Mendine and said the review committee and board members visited grant sites during the year. The presentation summarized the program’s cumulative record: since 1996 LCRA has awarded 2,137 community grants totaling more than $54,000,000; when combined with community matching funds cited in the presentation, LCRA said the total invested into local communities is nearly $297,000,000.

The board was told that fiscal 2026 will include two initial grants of up to $100,000, to be awarded after the July and January applicant cycles, and that staff anticipates the larger awards will allow partnership with additional organizations on community projects.

For next steps, staff said fall grant recipients will be announced soon and that the application window for the next cycle opens Jan. 1 on LCRA’s website.","Lower Colorado River Authority staff told the board Sept. 24 that fiscal 2025 was a record year for its Community Grants program, awarding 82 grants totaling nearly $2 million and leveraging matching funds to boost local impact; the program will add two competitive $100,000 awards in fiscal 2026.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Utilize.co founder pitches meter-based leak detection and predictive outage mapping to LCRA

LCRA public safety chief briefs board on history, roles and accreditation

LCRA board approves $10 million increase to KGA Architecture contract for facility expansions

LCRA staff to extend $200 million private bank note facility to support capital financing

LCRA says fiscal 2025 was a record year for community grants; adds two $100,000 award slots for 2026