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Levelland staff outline enterprise fund needs, propose new high-use water tier and AMI meter rollout
Summary
City staff presented the enterprise fund budget and a water-conservation plan that would add a new high-usage rate tier beginning at 20,001 gallons, accelerate AMI (wireless) meter installation and advance a wastewater plant project targeted for FY 2026.
City staff presented a draft enterprise fund budget and told councilors the document will return for more review before any adoption. The presentation foregrounded water and wastewater system investments, a proposed change to the water rate structure aimed at conservation, and a planned rollout of wireless metering.
The presenter said the enterprise fund includes water, wastewater, swimming pool and sanitation accounts and noted the utility mix funds both operational needs and transfers back to the general fund. Staff recommended adding a new rate tier at 20,001 gallons and up to create stronger conservation incentives and to reduce future capital strain. “If we take care of them, they'll take care of our community,” the presenter said when describing a proposed 3% personnel increase and broader efforts to retain employees.
Staff described a planned AMI (advanced metering infrastructure) program with Ameresco that would allow wireless meter reads, customer usage alerts and an inventory for an EPA-required lead-and-copper service-line survey. The presenter said the lead-and-copper survey is an EPA requirement and that Ameresco would help identify service-line materials across the system.
On wastewater, staff said the new wastewater treatment plant is expected to come online in FY 2026 with probable wintertime groundbreaking and an 12–18 month construction window. Staff also flagged several capital priorities: replacement of aging waterlines (including a 12-inch line to the airport), a proposed elevated storage tank east of town to stabilize pressure and looping of transmission mains to keep water moving and reduce discoloration. The presenter told councilors staff would pursue state funding opportunities through the regional Texas Water Development Board, where loans are often combined with grants and some loans carry 0% interest.
Staff cautioned the draft budget is preliminary, that some published line items appeared to contain errors (examples: rate-sheet wording around usage above 10,000 gallons), and said corrections and housekeeping edits will be provided before formal consideration. The enterprise fund is projected to end the current fiscal year over expenditures by roughly $58,482, a figure staff said they are still reconciling as revenues are finalized.
The council did not vote on any rate changes at the meeting; staff said the water-conservation plan and rate proposals will be included in the August 5 agenda for additional review.
