Tomball allocates engineering funds to study City Gas Gate No. 4 as lower‑cost option

The Tomball City Council approved a professional services agreement with Engineered Utility Services not to exceed $145,445 to evaluate design, upgrade requirements, and cost estimates for City Gas Gate No. 4.

Staff said the gas master plan identified a need for an additional gas gate to mitigate risk posed by the northern gas gate. Rather than immediately constructing a new gate (which the master plan showed as a worst‑case scenario), staff reported they located an existing private gas gate in the area that may be available for acquisition. The approved engineering study will assess whether that gate can be upgraded to meet city needs and produce an appraisal and cost estimate that would inform any purchase or construction decision.

Council members asked whether the existing gate option had been presented previously; staff said the master plan provided the general location and that this specific acquisition opportunity is newly identified. Staff estimated the build alternative in the master plan would have cost substantially more (the master plan earlier referenced a larger figure), while the acquisition/upgrade option should cost less than the $1.2 million figure previously discussed for a full new build in the area. The professional services agreement authorizes the assessment phase, not a purchase.

Council approved the agreement by recorded vote; staff will return with the feasibility report and any proposed acquisition cost before any purchase or construction commitment.