The Denison City Council received an update on Dec. 1 that the city has secured $16,950,000 in funding from the Texas Water Development Board to design and implement projects aimed at reducing water loss.

Miss Fancher Stearns, who presented the item for city staff, said the application process began in 2023 and after reapplying for the board’s Water Loss Reduction Funding Program the city was invited to apply and has now secured the funding. "The City has secured, dollars 16,950,000.00 in funding for public water system improvements to reduce water loss," Stearns said.

Stearns described the package as roughly 70% grant and 30% low-interest loan through the Texas Water Development Board; she highlighted that the award represents about $11.8 million in grant funds the city would not have to repay. Staff said the award will allow additional field investigation and engineering work to identify projects with the highest return on investment and to increase the amount of treated water reaching customers.

Stearns thanked internal staff and consultants who helped with the application, naming Terrace Stewart and Bill Moriarty with RJN Group, the city's financial adviser Marty Shue with Hilltop Securities, bond counsel Greg Schecker with McCall, Parkhurst and Horton, finance director Lori Alzebaugh and finance controller Amber Pilcher. She said the final step in the funding process is scheduled for the council’s next meeting, where the council will consider the formal acceptance and associated loan/grant terms.

Council members thanked the staff team and asked that the award and its benefits be publicized to citizens. No formal vote on the award took place at the Dec. 1 meeting; staff signaled the final approval item will return at the next meeting for council action.