City manager reports positive utility operations, progress on Tenth Street and City Hall renovations

City Manager Garrett reported that Borger's water and sewer fund is operationally $710,000 in the positive, despite an overall fund showing expenditures above revenues because of planned transfers to cover capital work at the Youth Center swimming pool.

Garrett said major users affect consumption: "Tokai right now, their water consumption is up. They're already at 80% of their budget for the year, and we're only 41% through the year," and that Nutrien is trending positive on water use. He also reported sales tax up 5% in February and year-to-date, while hotel tax was about 7% below budget, a roughly $40,000 shortfall that he expects to recover later in spring as maintenance turnarounds occur.

On public works and capital projects, Garrett said crews are finalizing punch-list work on Tenth Street, raising water-valve assemblies to final grade and finishing concrete rims around valve boxes. He said the city has started the reimbursement process with TxDOT for that work. The Second Street/Rock Creek sewer project is complete and signed off,…