Waterworks budget trims operations but adds six-figure tower and well projects
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Summary
Waterworks staff proposed a smaller 2026 operating budget but included major capital plans: a $1.5 million cleaning/rehab of the Sixteenth Street water tower, continued well replacements and a sedimentation-basin engineering allocation.
The Speedway waterworks presentation to council on Aug. 19 showed an overall proposed reduction in operating spending for 2026 while identifying several large capital investments.
Ronnie, the waterworks presenter, said the proposed 2026 waterworks budget is $5,712,935 — about a 9% reduction from the prior year — because some large capital purchases were completed in 2025. Ronnie said meter-read automation and treatment-chemical optimization reduced recurring costs.
Capital needs: the presentation included several major projects staff plan to pursue in 2026: - Sixteenth Street water tower: staff included $1,500,000 for cleaning, internal inspection, repairs and exterior repainting. Ronnie said the tower is roughly 100 feet tall and requires specialized work (including sandblasting and internal inspection) and that the town would bid the work if the council approves funding. - Replacement or addition of wells: staff proposed $200,000 to continue replacement work for wells No. 2 and 6 and noted potential collaboration with Speedway Schools to site test wells at the junior high; wells were estimated at $50,000–$75,000 each. - Sedimentation basins: $400,000 was shown for sedimentation replacement/rehabilitation engineering and planning; Ronnie said that the engineering work would prepare a design and cost estimate for construction, which could range from about $750,000 to $3.5 million depending on scope.
Operations: Ronnie said staff forewent purchase of a new dump truck by reallocating a recently replaced street-department vehicle. The waterworks presenter also noted ongoing meter replacement work (radio reads) and reductions in instrumentation calibration costs.
Timing and next steps: staff said they would post bidding documents and pursue the tower work early in the budget year if the council adopts the budget. Ronnie said some work (sedimentation engineering) might proceed in 2026 with potential construction in late 2026 or 2027.
