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Roma council approves submission of TWDB application for water pump project, discusses booster station funding
Summary
The Roma City Council approved a resolution authorizing submission of an application to the Texas Water Development Board for water pump work and discussed related water system upgrades, including a recently awarded $1,000,000 congressional grant for a booster station and planned equipment purchases.
The Roma City Council on Jan. 2025 approved a resolution authorizing submission of an application to the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to fund upgrades to the city's water pumping system and discussed related projects and funding.
City staff said the application is intended to fund work on the city's water pumps. "The Water Development Board requires that the city council approve the application," said Mr. Rivera, a staff member, explaining why the resolution was before the council. The resolution, prepared with assistance from the Ramirez law firm, authorizes submission of the application on behalf of the city.
The council's discussion tied the TWDB application to several planned and in-progress projects. Council members heard that the city recently received a $1,000,000 grant awarded through congressional channels to support a water booster station; staff said agreements are signed and construction documents have been published, with installation expected to follow once equipment is delivered. Separately, staff described planned purchases of booster pumps and related equipment and noted the city is working with engineers and financial advisors on the TWDB submittal.
Council members and staff emphasized the narrow scope of several items. A staff member clarified that although some application language references both water and wastewater, this particular application will be intended for the water pump work. The council also discussed the timing of equipment procurement and the sequence of engineering work required by the TWDB.
Action taken: the council approved the resolution authorizing submission of the TWDB application. The motion carried after a council member moved and another seconded; the transcript does not record a roll-call tally.
Why it matters: the TWDB application, if funded, will pay for pump replacements and related infrastructure the city described as essential to maintaining water service. The recently announced $1,000,000 grant for a booster station is a separate funding source staff said will support construction of a critical element of the system.
Staff said further engineering, procurement and installation steps will follow council approval of the application and the ongoing grant agreements. The council did not set specific contract awards in this vote; future council actions will be required for procurement and construction contracts.
