Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Capital Projects topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Staff outlines East Side Arterial, Redmond Wetlands Complex and other major projects and utility rate changes
Summary
City staff detailed $67 million in public-works projects for FY 202627, including the Redmond Wetlands Complex, East Side Arterial and Well 9, and proposed utility rate increases (water +5%, sewer +4%, stormwater +2%). Staff described funding sources, timelines and project-specific components such as roundabouts, trails and a wet-science education center at the wetlands complex.
City staff spent substantial time briefing the Budget Committee on major capital projects and the utility funds that support them.
Jason Neff, deputy city manager, said the budget includes "$67,000,000 in public works projects," and flagged the Redmond Wetlands Complex as a principal driver of debt this year. Jessica McClanahan, public works director and city engineer, described the Wetlands Complex as a new treatment plant northwest of town and said construction is about 40% complete; the presentation cited a project funding figure of roughly $88,800,000 and noted the facility will include operational facilities, approximately 3 miles of interceptor pipe, trails and a wet-science education component.
On roadway projects, McClanahan said the East Side Arterial is phased into five parts, includes multiple new roundabouts and is funded across transportation, water, wastewater and a portion of a general-obligation bond surplus; staff estimated about $44,000,000 for the East Side Arterial improvements and anticipated phased completion through the end of 2027. Well 9 was described as a new domestic water well with park amenities; staff reported drilling completed in 2024 and construction expected to be complete by the end of 2026.
Staff also summarized capital funding for the Wetlands Complex: Deschutes County/Terrebonne Sewer District support and SDCs were listed among contributors; Herlinda Korn told the committee wastewater operations will contribute $6,500,000 toward the wetlands and staff reported a recent grant of $4,300,000 that will reduce the DEQ loan amount. Jason Neff and Jessica McClanahan explained the city has roughly $15,000,000 of bonding capacity committed as a match for large-lot industrial infrastructure where applicable.
Committee members asked whether solar or other sustainability measures are being considered on large projects; McClanahan said solar is considered when cost-effective and noted some existing installations (police facility), but that the cost-benefit ratio has not favored adding solar to the current public-works projects. On pavement, McClanahan said the city tracks a pavement condition index (PCI) and is maintaining a PCI of 83 with an annual $1.7M street preservation program using chip seal and slurry where appropriate.
Why it matters: these capital projects and the Wetlands Complex in particular are large, multi-year investments that shape infrastructure capacity, utility rates and long-term debt. The committee discussion also highlighted dependencies on grants, SDCs and intergovernmental coordination.
What to watch next: project contract awards, grant closings that change debt exposure, and the wetlands complex operational timeline and permit compliance as staff transitions to the new treatment facility.
