Graham council amends treated-water contract to boost Fort Belknap allocation

The Graham City Council on a voice vote approved Resolution 211 to amend the city’s agreement with Fort Belknap Water Supply Corporation to increase the treated-water contractual allocation, city staff said.

City staff described the change as a 12% increase in Fort Belknap’s maximum monthly take and said the amendment was intended to ensure Fort Belknap can meet Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) reporting and customer-supply requirements. “I wish to emphasize that the city council is not giving away water rights, quote unquote, as part of this resolution,” a city staff presenter told the council.

The change provides an increased contractual “maximum take” so Fort Belknap can cover short-term spikes or leaks that cannot be quickly repaired, staff said. The presenter said Fort Belknap’s historical high daily average was about 800,000 gallons per day in August and that the amended contract includes a higher maximum daily allowance (described in the resolution as “1.4” per day in the packet). The presenter added that Fort Belknap accounts for roughly 21% of the city’s treated-water production on an average day.

Councilmember Jeff moved approval; Councilmember Jack seconded. The motion passed by voice vote; a roll-call tally was not recorded in the meeting minutes distributed with the agenda packet.

Council and staff discussed operational limits: staff said the contractual allocation decreases automatically as lake levels fall, so the higher allocation at full pool would be proportionally reduced if water-supply conditions changed. Staff also noted the city’s treatment plant has production capacity above typical daily output and that the amendment is intended to meet short-term customer needs rather than to increase regular withdrawals.

Members of the council asked clarifying questions about past usage, regulatory reporting, and the relationship between Fort Belknap’s growth and long-term regional supply planning. Staff reiterated the contract amendment is an administrative adjustment under the existing purchase agreement and recommended continued discussion of longer-term supply options, including Possum Kingdom connections.

The council’s action amends the existing purchase agreement between the City of Graham and Fort Belknap Water Supply Corporation as described in Resolution 211.