Hubbard staff say $2.4 million appropriation will fund early phases of wastewater upgrades; well drilling, flushing planned

At the goal‑setting session staff reviewed the city’s ongoing water and wastewater capital work and the funding outlook for the next fiscal year. “We have received the 2,400,000 dollars in legislative appropriation, so that will get us into phase 1 and phase 2 of the 4 phases of the wastewater treatment plant,” the staff member told council.

Staff said the water project remains in design and that drilling of Well 1 still needs to be done; target substantial completion for water work is December 2026 with final closeout likely in January or February 2027, though timing depends on receipt of additional funds. The staff member noted that recent rate increases and a CPI‑linked schedule strengthen the city’s position when requesting grants from agencies such as Business Oregon and state environmental regulators.

Council also addressed a recent wave of brown water complaints. An agency official explained the discoloration results from biofilm sloughing after a high‑chlorine slug and said the utility will run an unidirectional flushing program and perform targeted sampling. “We’ll be putting in a flushing notice that we’re going through the entire town,” the agency official said, and staff urged residents to expect notifications in the newsletter and on social media.

Staff framed next steps as prioritizing current projects with strict spending deadlines for water and wastewater appropriations and said the FY27 draft budget will reflect council priorities discussed at the session.