Council advances Highland Oaks PID assessment after public hearing; estimated $33,271 per lot

Lubbock City Council held a public hearing Oct. 14 and approved first reading of an ordinance creating the Highland Oaks Public Improvement District (PID) and levying an initial assessment tied to a planned water utility extension.

Business Development Director Brianna Brown summarized the assessment plan: the estimated project cost for water extension is $8,480,000 and the per-unit assessment is estimated at $33,270.59. Brown said the figure is an estimate because bond issuance costs and the final opinion of probable cost for construction will be known only when bonds are sold; by state statute the city cannot later increase the levied dollar amount for property owners once the assessment is levied.

Brown said the first year of the assessment would be 2025 but that because the levy occurs late in the year the city would not collect anything in 2025 unless a homeowner chose to prepay. Homeowners can prepay their assessment or pay over the expected 20-year bond term; staff and the PID management firm (Municap) will work with owners on prepayments and refunds if final construction costs come in lower.

During public comment, Shannon Hansen of the Highland Oaks water committee spoke in favor and offered to answer questions. The mayor read written comments from Nancy Briggs, a resident who said annexation and related costs have imposed hardship and asked about payment options; Brown and council members explained the payment options and said staff would follow up with outreach, noting homeowners can pay over 20 years or prepay in whole or in part.

Council voted to approve first reading and proceed toward a second and final reading at the Oct. 28 meeting; the vote on first reading was unanimous.