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Planning commission approves transfer of $17.1 million in water and wastewater impact fees to debt retirement
Summary
Houston Public Works told the Planning Commission its July 2024 semiannual impact‑fee reports show $17,086,464.97 in water/wastewater revenues and $400,555.92 in drainage fees for the reporting period; the commission approved staff recommendations to appropriate the water/wastewater funds to debt retirement and accepted the drainage report.
Houston — The Houston Planning Commission voted July 25 to accept semiannual reports from Houston Public Works on impact fees and to authorize staff recommendations tied to those reports.
Deidra Van Langen of Houston Public Works presented the water and wastewater semiannual report, saying, “A total of $17,086,464.97 was generated from revenues and interest for water and wastewater impact fees accrued … between 11/01/2023 and 04/30/2024.” She told commissioners the current combined water and wastewater impact fee is $3,743.76 per service unit and that capacity remains to support anticipated demand through the next reporting period. Van Langen recommended that the Planning Commission, acting as the Capital Improvements Advisory Committee, “authorize the appropriation to debt retirement for the total amount of revenues and interest generated … in the sum of $17,086,464.97.”
Commissioner Jones moved to approve the staff recommendation and the motion was seconded and carried. The commission also accepted the July 2024 semiannual drainage impact fee report presented by Van Langen, who reported $400,555.92 in drainage impact fees collected between 11/01/2023 and 04/30/2024 and $6,278,528.07 collected since program inception.
Why it matters: Impact fees are charged on new development to help pay for water, wastewater and drainage infrastructure needed to serve growth. Appropriating accrued fee revenues to debt retirement reduces long‑term financing costs and affects how the city budgets for capital improvements.
What the report says: Van Langen provided counts of service units that generated the water/wastewater revenues (4,465 water; 4,451 wastewater) and noted 700 single‑family residents were granted exemptions during the reporting period. She also said fee levels are at 33.71% of the maximum allowed by current law for water and wastewater. The drainage report summarized both the recent collection ($400,555.92) and cumulative program receipts ($6,278,528.07).
Next steps: The commission recorded its approval on the record; staff will proceed with the appropriation and administrative steps described in Van Langen’s recommendation.
