Pampa commission approves nonbinding MOU to join planning for regional water project

The Pampa City Commission voted to approve a memorandum of understanding to participate with the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority in planning and coordinating a proposed second transmission and well project referred to in the meeting as "Crimo 2" or "Crimwell 2." The nonbinding agreement commits member entities to a planning roadmap and funding buildup ahead of engineering and construction.

Gary Turley, speaking during the item, summarized the project's history and the rationale for joining the planning effort. He said member cities first discussed a second well/transmission project in the early 2010s, that land-rights work has progressed for more than a decade, and that the memorandum establishes a timetable staff expects to carry the project to engineering and later debt issuance. Local officials at the meeting said the MOU envisions engineering and design work in the years before a planned debt issuance in the mid-2030s, with full completion discussed on a multi‑decade timeline (participants referenced 2034 for debt issuance and cited 2038 as a target year for Crimo 2 to be in service).

Speakers at the meeting also flagged large and rising cost estimates. Commissioners and staff cited an earlier estimate around $600 million (an estimate discussed at or near 2017) and reported that a 2023 estimate had risen to roughly $1.2 billion. Officials said joining the MOU and setting aside increased monthly operating fees would let member cities build a capital fund so the regional authority can move to engineering and be shovel-ready, which improves access to grants or low‑interest loans.

Officials emphasized that the MOU is nonbinding and intended to give member cities time to plan for future debt and capital needs. At the meeting, supporters said the regional project would increase reliability for Pampa by providing an additional source of treated water closer to the city's treatment plant and reducing operating burdens if local lines fail. Opponents or dissenting votes were not recorded in the transcript; the motion passed on a voice vote.

Next steps: staff and the city's representatives to the regional authority will continue participation under the MOU timetable, with engineering and funding planning identified as the near-term priorities. The MOU sets a framework but does not obligate Pampa to future debt beyond its normal budget and approval processes.

Provenance: topicintro SEG 249: "Consider approving a memorandum of understanding between Canadian River Municipal Water Authority, Crimois, and its member entities for the planning, coordination, development of Crimo 2." topicfinish SEG 465: "Motion is approved."