Woodland Park water fund plans Gold Hill tank and moves ahead on reservoir access design

City staff updated council on water-fund capital priorities in the 2026 draft budget, including a recently lower contractor estimate on the Gold Hill tank and progress on reservoir engineering and access design.

"The big $1,600,000 Gold Hill tank, that actually came in significantly lower, than initial estimates," city staff member Aaron said, noting earlier estimates near $2.5 million. Staff said the lower project cost reflects a purchase already approved by council, with construction accounting for roughly $600,000 of the total package.

Staff also described reservoir work: the access-road design was about 60% complete and staff planned to submit 65% design documents to El Paso County for permitting. The budget shows a placeholder of $2,100,000 for two access points to the reservoir; staff cautioned the number is preliminary and subject to escalation as final dam and reservoir construction costs are refined.

Water fund revenue assumptions include a planned 2.5% rate increase effective each April and a modest forecast for tap sales (budgeted at 15 taps for 2026, down from budgeted figures in previous years). Staff said tap sales are lower in part because a number of buildable lots in recent subdivisions have been consumed and development activity has slowed.

Operations and maintenance items budgeted for water and wastewater include meter replacements (a long-running program staff said is nearing completion), filter rehabilitation, backwash pump replacement, and upgrades to Gold Hill pump station equipment. A backhoe replacement and other equipment purchases were also included; the wastewater fund is cost-sharing some vehicle and equipment replacements at a 65/35 split.

Staff emphasized the reservoir project's multi-year nature and said final cost and financing (including potential debt service in later years) remain to be determined; no final financing decision was made at the work session.