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City presents 2025 stormwater master plan update; costs and land needs drive higher project estimates
Summary
City staff reviewed an updated stormwater master plan that raises project cost estimates to reflect road reconstruction, right‑of‑way acquisition and utility impacts; the update adds programmatic recommendations and will be considered for adoption at the next meeting.
Ryan Beardmore, stormwater program manager, briefed council April 10 on the 2025 update to Cedar Park’s stormwater master plan. The presentation summarized lessons learned from projects under the city’s stormwater program and provided revised cost estimates and program recommendations.
Beardmore said the 2019 master plan focused on project identification and conceptual costs; the 2025 update refines those concepts with more detailed cost estimates that account for roadway reconstruction, utility relocation and potential land or easement acquisition — elements that significantly increased realized costs on prior projects. As an example, a project concept originally estimated at $4 million in 2019 rose to roughly $9.5 million when design and real‑world constraints were incorporated.
The 2025 update divides candidate projects into local drainage improvements (typically in older neighborhoods) and regional projects tied to creeks and riverine flooding. It also recommends programmatic measures including adoption of a city drainage criteria manual, citywide hydraulic modeling, a voluntary buyout program for repeatedly‑flooded properties, and continued investment in operations and maintenance.
Beardmore explained funding pathways: local projects are funded through the stormwater fund, stormwater bonds and utility fund participation; regional projects may rely on state and federal grants and cost sharing with other local entities. He said the plan will be used to prioritize projects, guide bond issuance, and is intended to be updated on a five‑year cycle.
No adoption vote was taken April 10; Beardmore said staff intends to return with a final resolution for council consideration at the April 24 meeting. Councilmembers acknowledged the sharply higher cost estimates but said they appreciated the more realistic accounting of right‑of‑way and utility costs and the inclusion of an implementation and funding strategy.
