Water and Sewer Board approves roughly $9 million reappropriation to finish two stormwater projects
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Summary
The Englewood Water and Sewer Board approved a 2025 supplemental appropriation to reallocate about $9 million from the stormwater fund so the city can close out the South Inglewood flood reduction work and the Old Hampton Utilities project and pay contractors. Staff said both projects are expected to close in 2025, though weather could delay finals
The Englewood Water and Sewer Board voted to approve a budget supplemental reappropriating roughly $9 million from the stormwater fund so the city can complete closeout and payments on two stormwater projects.
Public Works Director Victor Rochelle told the board the $9 million request includes about $6.15 million for the South Inglewood flood reduction project — the pond and tunnel that staff said are at construction closeout — and about $2.85 million for the Old Hampton Utilities project. “In 2024, we returned over $6,600,000 back to the fund balance,” Rochelle said, describing the returned funds as a product of project timing rather than cancelled work.
Board members pressed staff on the timing of appropriations versus contract awards. Rochelle and Deputy Director Sarah Stone said the mismatch is a timing issue tied to the city’s annual budgeting cycle: staff estimate year-of-expenditure needs in the spring, but construction schedules can slip and unspent appropriations return to the stormwater fund balance. Rochelle said staff must reappropriate those funds “to make sure we're making payments and meeting the obligations of the contract signed, and approved by council.”
Rochelle told the board the South Inglewood work is at closeout and that Old Hampton Utilities is more than halfway through and expected to close in 2025; he cautioned that weather could cause delays. After questions, a board member moved and another seconded the staff recommendation. The board approved the appropriation on a voice vote; the chair announced, “Motion carries.”
Deputy Director Stone told members that going forward stormwater contracts and budgets will be handled the same way as the city’s water and sewer enterprise funds: staff will bring stormwater contracts to the Water and Sewer Board for recommendation before those items go to city council. Stone said the change is a mechanical one meant to give the board earlier review of stormwater contracting and budget items.
Next steps: staff will use the reappropriated funds to finalize contractor payments and close both projects; if either project is not closed by year-end, staff said the money will return to the stormwater fund balance and the board will see another reappropriation request in 2026.