City staff and bond counsel presented a detailed budget update for the new wastewater treatment plant, reporting a total project budget of $108,826,194.75 and explaining the remaining financing needs and recent draws on the construction fund.

Nate Ellis of Public Finance Law Group explained line items and final bid results: Crossland Heavy received the base bid of $95,938,000 and alternate A for $1,054,000, yielding a contractor total of $96,992,000 before negotiated deductions. Ellis said the city negotiated $1,842,405 in reductions to several line items (concrete, earthwork and materials), and that the project's standard 5% contingency is being retained for potential change orders. He summarized prior loan draws and balance remaining in the construction fund, and said staff will request $31,723,206.12 in additional project funds from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board when bonds are priced.

"The total amount of that budget is $108,826,194.75," bond counsel Nate Ellis said, walking the committee through bid, draw and interest figures. Ellis noted prior draws of approximately $5.68 million and interest earnings that lowered net interest costs during construction.

Members of the public pressed for line‑by‑line clarity. Resident Ryan Lowe said he had compared materials provided to council at a prior meeting and identified differences in engineering fees, bond administrative fees and contingency amounts that he said warranted a pause to reconcile numbers before finalizing funding. Lowe urged additional scrutiny given the long‑term rate implications for water and sewer customers.

Councilors responded that while the figures are large and deserve scrutiny, the wastewater project is necessary to meet regulatory requirements and to replace aging infrastructure. Staff said they will report back after Water Resources Board pricing and will provide updated numbers to the council.