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Council approves budget amendment for Cedar Breaks pump station, directs staff to prefer CO bond funding
Summary
The council approved an ordinance to add funding for Cedar Breaks pump station repairs and maintenance, after an extended discussion about using utility reserves versus 2024 CO bond proceeds and how staff should seek internal savings before tapping reserves.
Lago Vista — After extended questioning about funding sources, the City Council unanimously approved Ordinance 26‑01‑15‑01 to amend the fiscal-year budget for the Cedar Breaks pump station replacement and related maintenance work.
Ernesto, a city staff member reporting on utilities, outlined two approaches: a contracted, all-in Option 2 (higher, broader scope) and a phased Option 1 that uses internal staff and piecemeal contracting to prioritize the pump house while stretching existing maintenance dollars. Ernesto said Option 1 was his recommendation because it would allow staff to make needed repairs, replenish some O&M expenditures, and avoid overcommitting to a single large contract while bids and lead times are finalized.
Council members pressed staff on the requested amounts and the principle of 'replenishing' already spent operating funds. Councilmember Paul Prince urged a fiscally conservative approach — asking staff to look for underspent lines across the utility fund before moving to reserves — and suggested prioritizing use of certificates of obligation (CO) bond proceeds where projects qualify.
The ordinance as amended on the floor instructed staff to identify a funding transfer from the Series 2024 CO bond (rather than directly drawing on utility fund reserves) and to specify the account number and amounts to be transferred. Council approved the amended ordinance unanimously.
Staff said estimated line items included a pump station cost (reported in discussion as $247,242.75) and additional repairs and equipment; Ernesto cautioned some estimates (the fully contracted Option 2) were preliminary and likely to change. Council also asked staff to return with account and transfer details and to provide milestone reporting during construction.
The vote authorized the budget amendment and directed staff to use the 2024 CO bond to cover the increase if feasible and to return to council if the funding approach must change.
