The Llano City Council authorized staff to submit a water contract application to the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) seeking additional diversion rights, advancing a multi-step effort to shore up the city’s long-term water supply.

City staff told the council the request follows a water-reliability study by consulting engineers Freese and Nichols that found Llano’s 1,200-acre-foot right could be insufficient if senior rights were called during a drought. The application seeks several hundred acre-feet of diversion (the packet and discussion referenced both 487 and 497 acre-feet); staff said the application to LCRA starts the process and does not guarantee the final amount the city will receive.

Josh, a staff presenter, said the application represents ‘‘one of the first steps we need to get done’’ to secure additional diversion capacity. The council had a water-rights attorney and other consultants on standby to join an executive session if legal advice was needed, and members noted the application packet included an updated Exhibit F.

The council moved to approve the application, the mayor (or authorized signatory) was directed to execute the documents, and staff will proceed with LCRA submission and follow-up legal consultation as necessary. One council member indicated a potential abstention due to military employment but the motion carried.

Staff said the city’s current water-rate study budgets for the full 1,200 acre-feet in its financial planning; staff will reconfirm rates and financial impacts after LCRA confirms the contract amount. The council approved the submission to LCRA so the city can begin contract negotiations and formalize any purchase or diversion agreement.

The council noted the application is a procedural step: Freese and Nichols’ modeling informed the requested quantity, but LCRA may authorize less than the requested acre-feet. Council members said staff could return with additional legal analysis or call the city’s water-rights attorney into an executive session if detailed legal consultation is needed.