Ingleside council hears rebid schedule for wastewater plant as members press for budgeting and capacity review

City council members on Monday received an updated schedule for the city's wastewater treatment plant project and pressed staff for clearer cost planning and a current capacity assessment.

Gary, a city staff member who presented the update, told the council the city rebid the project after an initial solicitation drew no responses. The city re-advertised in January, held a pre-bid meeting on Jan. 30, moved the bid opening to March, expects bid evaluation and submittal to the Texas Water Development Board by March 27, and hopes to return to council for an award on April 22. If awarded, preconstruction and notice to proceed would begin in May 2025, with the contract allowing 730 days for substantial completion and 90 days for final completion.

The update included technical and funding context: the existing plant is rated at about 1.29 million gallons per day (MGD) and the new plant design is 2 MGD. Gary said the design responds to a state mandate to increase capacity and described the Texas Water Development Board as a likely financing source; council discussion also named Certificates of Obligation and other municipal funding mechanisms as potential payback sources.

Council member Deal led questioning on costs and timing, saying the council should stop '2kicking the can down the road'2 and prepare for higher costs. "I don't wanna hear . . . we have to wait till we get bids. I don't wanna hear that because that's a bunch of malarkey," Council member Deal said, arguing the council should be planning now for the likely cost increases and the loan rework the city will need to request through the state.

Council members and staff discussed the existing capacity analysis. Gary said the last capacity evaluation showed the system near 75% at the time of that study and that the design and timeline were driven by that capacity threshold; he also noted the study did not fully account for inflow and infiltration (I&I), which can consume capacity. Council members asked whether the previous evaluation had been re-run; staff said it had not been re-evaluated since the earlier study.

Several councilors urged staff to provide more frequent updates and financial scenarios before bids arrive so the council and future councils can make informed decisions about financing and rate impacts. Staff said the city will pursue available loan vehicles through the Texas Water Development Board and explore other funding tools and that some industrial customers historically have borne a large share of sewer costs.

No formal action or votes were taken on the wastewater item during the meeting; the council received the update and directed staff to continue to track schedule and funding options.