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Utilities board approves amendment to SRF leveraged loan to add valves, priority line work
Summary
The board approved an amendment to a $23 million State Revolving Fund leveraged loan to add insertion valves in the distribution system and to fund priority water line replacements after refined lead-service-line estimates lowered overall program costs.
The Englewood Utilities Board voted unanimously to approve an amendment to its State Revolving Fund (SRF) leveraged water loan, adding funds for insertion valves and several priority distribution-line replacements.
The change comes after city utilities staff refined the inventory of lead service lines and revised the projected program cost. "Since we've been refining the various zones... we believe that that program cost will actually be around $30,000,000," Sarah, Utilities staff, told the board, citing a lower estimate that leaves roughly $10 million available to invest in the distribution system.
Why it matters: The utilities department closed combined federal- and state-backed loans last year totaling about $40 million. The SRF leveraged portion under consideration for amendment was the $23 million direct loan from the state; the proposed amendment would reallocate available funds to install insertion valves for operational control and to complete high‑priority line replacements such as Clarkson and Union Avenue.
Details of the amendment: Utilities staff told the board insertion valves identified on the project map (shown to the board) would be installed in required locations as the contractor moves into those zones; additional valve locations marked in red would be evaluated for cost and installed if funds permit. The board was also told that the Clarkson line and Union Avenue are priority line‑replacement projects, with Union Avenue previously designed but delayed after higher-than-expected contractor bids.
Staff also asked to update the list of authorized loan officers associated with the SRF loan to include present utilities staff and to remove two Public Works representatives, a clerical correction staff said had been carried over from an older Public Works SRF loan.
Board discussion and outcome: Board members asked whether adding valves would extend the lead-replacement timeline; Sarah said it would not and that the work would be incorporated into the contractor's existing scope. After brief discussion the board approved the amendment as written. The motion carried with all present voting yes.
What’s next: Staff will proceed with the amendment execution and scheduling of the valve insertions and the identified line replacements. The board did not adopt further direction beyond approval of the amendment.
