[{"_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",6488117,"mediaKeyId","5839829-7f52f1003d53c24a19f2f1754d638888","parentId",5839829,"title","Trusters approve preliminary steps for long-term bond to raise CIP capacity","audioSeconds",100,"startMs",264000,"endMs",364000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5839829-7f52f1003d53c24a19f2f1754d638888&start=264&end=364","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5839829-7f52f1003d53c24a19f2f1754d638888/thumbnail_264000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6488117/Oklahoma/Trusters-approve-preliminary-steps-for-long-term-bond-to-raise-CIP-capacity","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6488117-dc7c67f62a53fa2b5c845bf1a5af9f28/orig.mp4?Expires=1775161097&Signature=kQdj1xa9SMpRbVyIL8~OD8Qvqb-WipwjTSh3H1Y8B5q787W0XKpwHPen7Y3Z~Yl8gPYkT8OprGSuhCkm6MkARW~rbcxEuEnf3y2l1udwiftaczmwJQSJKryFpWRasiWEtjmJED9RG-7miK1i4P4Y9gKnJTkxJnEVY~p~-Tn9Ducleqif6JBxR3jfUEM-xSiFOPbP-IrGzyCO0a-9fkjbwgcSPRXsWMFhTiva2HaZDOEe6wjcQvS38~czz08G3UAV1kUaP3WZ269lXlZs3SxNmuxAq6lmRDthhJYUK~bqHFZsk7aEtfp2sSF4CFgQ~KzLNIZ4vsq7f2A7f4FVWnbrSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Oklahoma","date","2025-08-26T00:00:00Z","article","The Oklahoma City Water Utilities Trust on Aug. 26 approved a resolution authorizing the general manager designate to begin preparatory work for a long-term fixed-rate bond sale to refund commercial paper and raise new money for construction spending.

The action comes as the utility looks to increase its ability to let large, multi-year construction contracts for the capital improvement program (CIP). Dennis Whaley, the utility’s financial adviser with PFM, told trustees the utility expects about $2.7 billion in CIP spending over the next five years and roughly $6 billion over 10 years, and that several large projects are driving the need for additional appropriation capacity.

Whaley said the Atoka pipeline project accounts for about $348 million in expected spending and the Deer Creek water/wastewater treatment plant about $230 million. He summarized interim and longer-term strategies the utility is pursuing to expand capacity: raising commercial paper capacity, soliciting a bank note program, pursuing a long-term bond issue to refund commercial paper and raise new money, and continuing to use the Oklahoma Water Resources Board State Revolving Fund (SRF) when projects qualify.

\"We came to you in January '25 and talked about the need to raise capacity for the letting of contracts,\" Whaley said. He described recent actions: the utility increased its commercial paper program capacity (closed April 30) and reissued a request for proposals for a bank note program on July 30. The reissued RFP asked banks to bid on either a $320 million three-year program or a $500 million five-year program; Whaley said the utility received two responses for each option and is evaluating them.

Whaley explained what the approved resolution authorizes: preparatory work that includes developing a preliminary official statement, drafting legal documents and arranging rating agency meetings. He said the trust has issued a mini-RFP to investment banks on the city's authorized pool and expects responses back on Aug. 28.

He also reviewed the current short-term and capacity figures cited to trustees: the tax authorization for debt (described as the first authorization) sits at $700 million; roughly $34 million of commercial paper is outstanding; the trust had about $500 million in spending capacity under the recently raised program, but had appropriated roughly $365 million against a $500 million letter of credit, leaving materially less remaining appropriation capacity (Whaley described an available additional capacity of about $98 million to let new projects under that letter of credit). Whaley framed the bond sale as a way to restore longer-term capacity for contracting.

On timing, Whaley said market timing is uncertain but suggested a possible rate cut in the near term could lower the short end of the yield curve while longer-term yields remain pressured by inflation and global risks. \"I think there's a very good chance there will be a rate cut in September,\" he said, adding that the yield curve may flatten at the short end and remain elevated on the long end.

Trustees moved to approve the resolution; a motion and second were made and the item passed.

Trust staff and the financial adviser will proceed with the specified preliminary actions; trustees did not provide a public timetable for a final bond sale during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Oklahoma Water Utilities Trust - 8-26-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Trustees approved a resolution directing staff to begin preparations for a long-term fixed-rate bond issue to refund outstanding commercial paper and raise new construction funds for the water utility’s capital improvement program.","taxTitle","Other Public Meetings, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma","taxId",69689,"location","Oklahoma","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},6488105,"Trust hears update on 60-inch transmission main relocation around Tinker; ARPA funds pay construction",160,762000,922000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5839829-7f52f1003d53c24a19f2f1754d638888&start=762&end=922","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5839829-7f52f1003d53c24a19f2f1754d638888/thumbnail_762000.jpg","/articles/6488105/Oklahoma/Trust-hears-update-on-60-inch-transmission-main-relocation-around-Tinker-ARPA-funds-pay-construction","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6488105-2a970ffb03ca6f7bd245796193a053c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775161097&Signature=B3W5-QmW6d97pWIxhUsXNjpuGUEKH9ibhhqxbBuDFulI4srMy9ltfW2p6u3L1hUupRfWG4Oi6Zxeor41NVbLbMA0YzL4JP9QL748FX2NCZwA~mm~~4j8O9n2XggQPlkNaw3CAC3nne0QHOgX10GDe4MALneIALn3seeaOfGqokg7wftiO4I93Ae2Gn9fWPePP4VjMB3Z6aLb9QBe-VbqWmgGMO7HN5PCJAeCgrE2my1sXLEFpr248KUAXvGAruBpObpDVTGQ0H36SnSDN8zqeIqjJyGITe9EfBShQS1LowrLF7hTB3uxzlU7omv~IeRja9hZXqVsIcnZZGmPBZ4g7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Oklahoma City Water Utilities Trust received an update Aug. 26 on the 60-inch water transmission main relocation around Tinker, a multi-phase project paid with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant funds and managed by the city's Public Works Department with the trust serving in an advisory role.

Kendra Alexander, a staff member presenting the project update, told trustees the project includes roughly four miles of 60-inch transmission main and associated valves and fittings. She said phase 1 covers about a two-mile segment along South Douglas and Southeast 70th Street, up Post Road to Southeast 59th Street, and that all pipe for phase 1 is welded in the ground and backfilled.

\"As of today, all the pipe is welded in the ground, backfilled,\" Alexander said. She said the project completed a pre-punch list in April 2025 and that staff plan to begin filling the first two-mile segment in September to perform hydrostatic testing and pipeline flushing, followed by disinfection, site restoration, final inspection and commissioning. Alexander said the team is still determining whether phase 1 and phase 2 will be commissioned simultaneously.

Phase 2 is about 20% complete on pipe segments, she said, and remains the portion that will include final crossover connections and taps to the existing 60-inch main. She described current construction impacts: lane restrictions and road closures along Douglas as crews perform vault installations, removal of abandoned prestressed concrete cylinder pipe (PCCP), installation of tapping sleeves and preparation for line stops and final connections.

Trust staff noted upcoming work will require setting up two 48-inch bypass lines and installing tapping sleeves and tees so sections of the existing 60-inch main can be isolated and cut to make new connections. Browning, the general manager, and other trustees emphasized the complexity of isolating and making live taps on a 60-inch transmission main and praised staff coordination among water quality, line maintenance, Tinker stakeholders and residents.

The presenter said because ARPA funds are used for the reroute, trust funds are not being spent on this project; Public Works is managing construction while the trust provides advisory oversight. Trustees did not take formal action on the update.","Staff told trustees that work on a 60-inch transmission main reroute around Tinker is underway, that phase 1 pipe is installed and awaiting testing this fall, and that phase 2 is about 20% complete; the project is being paid with ARPA grant funds and managed by Public Works with the trust in an advisory role.",{"_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},6488112,"Trust hires Phillips Murrah to support Atoka pipeline dispute, authorizes experts",72,682000,754000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5839829-7f52f1003d53c24a19f2f1754d638888&start=682&end=754","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5839829-7f52f1003d53c24a19f2f1754d638888/thumbnail_682000.jpg","/articles/6488112/Oklahoma/Trust-hires-Phillips-Murrah-to-support-Atoka-pipeline-dispute-authorizes-experts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6488112-a9c65140d330e8d3f81b8c17aa1b9984/orig.mp4?Expires=1775161097&Signature=ofwe2rRhvX62494Un20HFsDRqb1WccQKnH6e41pYlijcZiA-9Vyuje9vfsgKqzV7NNnggxricG6V8wEN8pq2XOtruZz9CyVP7VxjcupsyPjBOvQTxlxm4j63ZxQxIzUD6z~PZi5CYmZCDHeXqEN2XUe9PVhwdeObLMZVKioJa5AKBbgvyKslWDFWtXQo2tajokEO7MuYU7mVGiEd17XihwRFiB8bFwepqvkIUgFzLAgQTYTDckblHC1~s1WFkZltcFpScIQBn-9GFamwEsTUhJ~4t0Bw-nWg4FOPQI34dJfjHkOBt-yPdrnny2eTz5DiaRxGXG2UoCgKmVMKrbb4zg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Oklahoma City Water Utilities Trust voted Aug. 26 to retain Phillips Murrah to assist in a dispute with a contractor on the Atoka pipeline project, authorizing legal counsel to engage expert witnesses.

The dispute centers on a contractor claim related to installation of the pipeline crossing of the South Canadian River. Trustees were told the contractor claims a change of condition and is seeking additional funds. The resolution approved by trustees authorizes the retention of Phillips Murrah to represent the trust in the matter and to enable attorneys to bring in expert witnesses as needed.

A trustee described the matter in brief and said Phillips Murrah had assisted the utility on prior litigation related to the Atoka pipeline. A trustee or staff member summarized the item as a request to enable attorneys to retain experts; the chair asked whether Phillips Murrah was already engaged for the case and was told they were already on the matter.

Trustees moved for approval; a motion and a second were recorded and the resolution passed without a roll-call vote stated in the transcript.

Trust staff and retained counsel may proceed with expert retention and related litigation support; trustees did not discuss confidential details of the dispute during the public session.","Trustees approved hiring Phillips Murrah to represent the utility in a contractor dispute over the Atoka pipeline South Canadian River crossing and authorized attorneys to bring expert witnesses.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Trusters approve preliminary steps for long-term bond to raise CIP capacity

Trust hears update on 60-inch transmission main relocation around Tinker; ARPA funds pay construction

Trust hires Phillips Murrah to support Atoka pipeline dispute, authorizes experts