Hermiston updates five-year water, sewer and street capital plan; council adopts rolling two‑year update

The Hermiston City Council adopted an updated rolling five‑year capital improvement plan on Jan. 20, approving a two‑year update that sets project priorities for water, sewer and street maintenance and capital investments.

Utilities staff and consultants summarized accomplishments since the city began its capital planning process in 2019: roughly $15 million invested across water, sewer and street programs; about 2.5 miles of water main replaced; an increase of roughly 1,200 gallons per minute of community drinking-water capacity; about 0.75 miles of sewer main replaced and extensive sewer lift station work; and roughly 3 miles of streets rebuilt or repaired. The presentation emphasized the plan is a "rolling" five‑year window that the city updates every two years to reflect need and available resources.

"This is our fourth update to the capital improvement plan," Utilities Manager Mark Morgan said, adding the plan is used to inform annual budgets rather than to authorize expenditures. Morgan noted the city currently has about 83 miles of water main and that the existing replacement rate would equate to a roughly 200‑year replacement cycle at current funding levels; sewer main replacement is slower, creating longer projected cycles.

Councilors and staff reviewed project prioritization and funding sources. Councilor Lisonbee moved to approve the CIP update; Councilor Meyer seconded. The plan passed unanimously.

The updated CIP will inform staff’s annual budget requests and project schedules; individual projects still require separate budgeting and contract awards.