The El Campo City Council on Sept. 8 approved City Development Corporation (CDC) funding of $228,594.45 to pay for sanitary‑sewer infrastructure improvements described as serving the North Mechanic and Washington Street commercial corridor. A CDC representative told the council the board unanimously voted to fund 100% of the project because of the number of businesses that would benefit.

City staff said the project had been presented previously and that, at the time, staff had hoped to use remaining bond funds to support the work; CDC funding of the commercial‑driven project, staff said, would free bond funds for other items further down the city’s capital improvement plan. Staff listed businesses in the project area, including retail and service establishments, and said the CDC’s participation would allow the city to move forward without drawing down reserved bond funds.

Motion: A council member moved to approve the CDC funding for the sanitary‑sewer infrastructure improvements in the specified area; a second was received and the motion passed.

Why it matters: The CDC’s full funding of the project accelerates needed infrastructure work for several commercial properties and preserves municipal bond capacity for other capital projects listed in the city’s CIP.

What to expect next: Staff will coordinate final project design and construction scheduling with the city’s engineer and the CDC and return any required contract documents for council authorization as needed.