Lake Jackson council reviews $1.5M general-fund CIP, $4M utility fund and $3.6M 0.5¢ spending plan

City staff gave council a first look at the recommended capital improvement plan that will feed into the summer budget process. "For our general fund, funds available approximately for FY 26-27 projects is $1,500,000," a staff presenter said, noting a five-year spreadsheet of anticipated projects.

Modesto, who led the presentation, said the packet represents a high-level "first look" and that staff will refine project scopes and costs ahead of the formal budget adoption in July. Staff highlighted recurring needs the council may want to fund from CIP savings, including a proposed increase in facility maintenance funding (staff recommended moving toward a $200,000 annual target) and higher air-conditioning replacement estimates because of inflation.

In the utilities program, staff reported roughly $4 million available for FY2026–27 projects and presented a series of prioritized water and wastewater projects, including a $3 million sewer-system rehabilitation by basin and a $500,000 water-meter replacement program. The 0.5¢ fund was shown with about $3.6 million available and a proposed $1.67 million in spending for parks, restroom replacements and facility repairs.

Councilmembers asked for more cost breakdowns, resident vs. nonresident impacts on service fees and options to phase or defer projects. Staff emphasized the CIP is advisory at this stage and any transfers (for example moving $70,000 in Gulf Coast transit funding temporarily between funds) would be finalized in the May–June budget process.