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Huntsville staff report $10.9M in water projects, $35.2M in wastewater work; city hall construction delayed but moving forward
Summary
City engineering director Kathleen Jane Bullock told the Huntsville City Council staff has 14 water projects funded at $10.9 million and 29 wastewater projects funded at $35.2 million. Council and staff discussed drainage fees, a large street project list, the Paul Knox Park sewer work and the status of the new city hall and service center.
Kathleen Jane Bullock, director of the city engineering department, told the Huntsville City Council that the city has 14 water projects budgeted at $10,900,000 and 29 wastewater projects budgeted at $35,200,000.
Bullock said the water projects exclude a separate TRS project and described the wastewater portfolio as a mix of design and construction phases. She also reviewed a drainage-fee study the council adopted by ordinance in September 2024; collection began in October 2024. "The study is already completed," she said, noting the city will now review fee exemptions and possible revisions for nonprofit organizations, churches and the high school at the finance committee's request.
The presentation also covered street projects and large capital needs. Bullock recalled a street workshop that identified 10 priority projects with an estimated cost of about $176,000,000. She said the city does not currently have that funding and emphasized the need to update the transportation plan and apply for grants to make projects competitive.
Councilman Lyle pressed for specifics about a local repair, asking whether the Paul Knox Park project would “put in 3 different manholes.” City staff confirmed the Paul Knox work will realign three brick manholes and use pipe bursting to upsized an existing 8-inch line to a 12-inch line.
Bullock gave a status update on the new city hall, saying the project remains within the $23,880,000 budget figure she has tracked and staff hopes to finish construction in April or May, subject to furniture delivery and installation. She said HBI (the furniture vendor) estimated six weeks for delivery and installation; staff is attempting to coordinate finishes so furniture can be moved in as early as possible. Bullock attributed earlier schedule slippage to extended wet site conditions that limited heavy equipment access and to roofing and rotunda delays she said the project team is resolving.
The new service center, she said, is finished and occupied; staff will schedule demolition of the old service center after departments relocate so the city has continuity of operations. Bullock said city staff will bring options for future uses of the current city hall/Old PD site to the council as the new building nears completion.
Several council members asked about longer-term funding options, including a question whether the state could help with road needs where tax-exempt institutions (including a prison) increase local demand. Bullock and the mayor said the city can pursue intergovernmental discussions and advisory outreach with state partners and the Texas Department of Transportation.
No formal council votes on these capital projects were recorded during the presentation; council discussion focused on project status, funding options and next steps for design, grant applications and fee revisions.
