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Laredo council directs staff to accelerate Legacy Water Supply agreement, seeks contract within 30 days
Summary
Following presentations that Legacy’s supplemental-water project is shovel-ready and that private investors have already spent millions, the council directed staff to finish legal review and return a finalized contract within 30 days so the city can pursue state funding.
The Laredo City Council voted April 29 to direct staff and the city attorney to complete review of agreements with the Legacy Water Supply Corporation and to bring a finalized contract back to council within 30 days.
Legacy representatives described a multiyear effort to develop a nearby supplemental-water source, asserting certain project elements are constructed or permitted and that private capital has already funded significant work. "Private interests have already paid $40,000,000 toward this project," David Earl said, adding that treatment design approvals and pipeline segments are in place and that a signed agreement is needed for the city to be eligible for state funding programs.
City staff said the draft agreements have been in municipal legal review since late 2024 and that their review includes water-quality and blending analyses and close checks on annexation and service conditions. The city manager told council the intent is to ensure the agreements protect the city's interests before final approval.
Council members pressed staff on timing and technical questions; staff responded the agreement could be returned within the requested 30-day window if remaining legal and technical reviews are completed. The motion to prioritize the contract and return it to council passed by voice vote.
City staff and Legacy counsel emphasized the direction does not commit the city to purchase water or lock in rates; final financing, bond or rate approvals would return to council after the contractual, financing and funding steps are complete.
