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Commission approves $5.1M addition for Moses Lake pump station and long‑term Gulf Coast water contract
Summary
The commission approved a $5.1 million budget amendment to complete the Moses Lake stormwater pump station and awarded a construction contract; it also approved a multi‑decade amended purchase contract with Gulf Coast Water Authority, prompting questions about rates and contaminant testing.
Texas City commissioners on July 1 approved supplemental funding and contract actions affecting the city's water and stormwater systems.
Infrastructure funding: Staff reported that the Moses Lake stormwater pump station — a project with design and permitting work stretching back to 2017 — has experienced price escalations and scope changes that increased the estimated construction cost to roughly $12.2 million. Staff requested an additional $5.1 million from the general fund unassigned fund balance to complete construction. The commission approved ordinance 2026-18 to add the funds. Engineering staff described scope changes required by the Corps of Engineers (seamless steel piping over the levee rather than a lower-cost concrete option) and the project's purpose: to increase drainage capacity for areas that otherwise have limited outlets when county floodgates close.
Construction contract: The commission also approved resolution 2026-075 to enter a construction contract with Carlson Mlan Construction Company LLC for the Moses Lake pump station after a competitive bid process. Staff said the pumps and motors alone accounted for a substantial share of the price escalation and that the contractor was judged responsive and experienced with city projects.
Water supply contract: Separately the commission approved an amended long‑term purchase agreement with the Gulf Coast Water Authority (GF Coast) extending terms through 2062 for treated potable water and an option to convert supplemental raw water to treated water later. Staff said the city’s rate from GF Coast remains competitive (roughly $319 per thousand gallons reported in the meeting). Commissioners pressed staff about contract risk, liability language and water-quality testing for emerging contaminants (PFAS/microplastics). Staff said GF Coast conducts testing and the city conducts routine daily testing at its plants; preliminary GF Coast testing reported no issues.
Commissioners asked for follow‑up on the city’s ongoing rate study and whether additional source-water contaminant testing (PFAS, microplastics) is warranted; staff said they would research testing options and potential grant funding to support expanded sampling. The commission approved the budget amendment, the construction contract award and the GF Coast contract by vote.
