Boerne council approves appraisal district budget, street striping, water treatment design and construction-administration contracts; ethics appointment

The Boerne City Council on July 8 voted 5-0 on a set of routine and project-specific items that included authorizing the city manager to approve the Kendall County Appraisal District's proposed fiscal 2026 budget, awarding a street striping contract, hiring an engineering firm for design of a granular activated carbon (GAC) filter at the city's water treatment plant and approving construction-phase administration services for the Ammon Road ground storage tank and pump station.

Why it matters: The combined approvals commit the city to near-term project spending and to administrative actions that will affect operations and capital projects for utilities and public works. Several items include specific funding or not-to-exceed amounts that will be implemented by the city manager under the council's authorization.

Key approvals and vote results

- Resolution 2025-R44: Authorized the city manager to approve the Kendall County Appraisal District's proposed fiscal year 2026 appraisal and collections budgets. Motion by Councilor Wilson; second by Councilman Bunker. Vote: 5-0.

- Resolution 2025-R45 (striping): Awarded the fiscal year 2025 street striping contract to Stripe It Up LLC, authorizing the city manager to execute the contract for an amount not to exceed $97,095.50 (the low bid was $77,676.40; council authorized a larger not-to-exceed amount to allow negotiated change orders). Motion by Councilman Bunker; second by Councilman Macaluso. Vote: 5-0.

- Resolution 2025-R46 (GAC design): Authorized the city manager to enter into and manage a professional services agreement with HDR Engineering Inc. for design of a skid-mounted granular activated carbon filter at the Boerne City Lake Water Treatment Plant for an amount not to exceed $350,000 (HDR's proposed design fee totaled $329,900). Motion by Councilman Munger; second by Councilor Wilson. Vote: 5-0.

- Resolution 2025-R47 (Ammon Road): Authorized the city manager to enter into and manage a contract with Kimley-Horn for construction contract administration services for the Ammon Road ground storage tank and pump station project for an amount not to exceed $145,000 (the negotiated contract amount is $134,090 with contingency for additional services). Motion by Councilman Bateman; second by Councilman Willison. Vote: 5-0.

- Mayor's appointment to the Ethics Review Commission: Council approved the mayoral appointment of Kyle Mickison (previously an alternate) to fill a vacancy on the Ethics Review Commission. Second by Councilman Bunker. Vote: 5-0.

Details and next steps

- The striping contract covers annual restriping across the city; staff noted the city is transitioning toward thermoplastic striping (longer-lasting material) where appropriate and will coordinate striping work with planned reconstruction and chip-seal projects to avoid unnecessary rework.

- For the GAC project, staff and HDR estimate a 195-calendar-day design schedule; HDR proposed a skid-mounted system to reduce custom design time and construction lead times. Council authorized the manager to hire HDR for design and bid-phase services; construction cost estimates were discussed during the meeting but were not a part of the resolution.

- The Kimley-Horn construction services approval follows the prior award of the Ammon Road construction contract; staff said the work includes special inspections required by the International Building Code and review of submittals, RFIs and project closeout deliverables.

No council member voted against or abstained on any item.