Pilot Point City Council approved bids for the construction of the new wastewater treatment plant, for a maximum amount of $79,281,915 on April 9.
There are additional capital water and sewer improvement projects included in the masterplan that need work, with combined project costs over $125,000,000.
“We sold $34 million of bonds through the Texas Water Development Board in 2023,” Chief Financial Officer Michele Sanchez said. “In 2022, we also sold a tranche of debt to complete some critical water and sewer projects. There's still $3.4 million left in that bond, … so that brings our balance to about $87 million.”
Sanchez added that if the city is awarded $10 million in grant funding from the Texas Water Development Board, that would bring the total down to a little over $77 million, which the current debt service schedule is based on.
The water and sewer projects would be financed in increments, starting in June, by selling $5 million for initial engineering costs and fees, $30 million in September and $35 million in September 2029.
Sanchez added there are several ways the city will pay for the debt, including continuing to “leverage impact fees for all new developments” within the water and sewer CCN and a new capital recovery fee included in the development agreements.
“When you get your water bill every month, and you pay it, a portion of that funding goes directly to pay down debt that already exists in the water and sewer fund,” Sanchez said. “So, this is still continuing the idea that a portion of your funding that you pay on your utility bill is going to pay down that debt service.”
The debt service rate will remain at 28 cents because of the city’s projected 500 new residential utility customers each fiscal year and 8% annual home value growth.
“I will say that 8% is low, because that's not taking into account all those new homes that are coming on; our growth has been much greater than 8% every fiscal year,” Sanchez said.
The council also discussed a mural proposed for the site at 102 E. Main St., next to City Hall.
“I would like to have some kind of mural that is interactive where people want to take Instagram photos with it,” City Manager Britt Lusk said. “Also, something that gives a nod to the history, all the way to the future of the site.”
He added that the mural's interactive element would align with the city’s master plan and could serve as an attraction to residents and visitors.
The mural’s design would have to be approved by the three boards that govern it: the Parks and Recreation board for the temporary pocket park that will be placed there, the Main Street Advisory board and the Library and Cultural Arts board.
Lusk shared that the next step is to create an RFP and then bring the recommendations back to the council.
The council approved a recommendation by council member Mike Wilson to change the signage along Highway 455 to G.A. Moore Parkway.
“G.A. Moore was a big person in the city of Pilot Point, also in the city of Celina, so, naming it G.A. Moore Parkway, it attaches our two cities,” Sanchez said. “It's a nod to what a great man he was.”
The council agreed. “His involvement is beyond coaching for Pilot Point,” Mayor Chad Major said. “... There’s a deep tie, and I think this is very important.”
The council approved a similar ordinance, recommended by the city of Aubrey, to rename the sign on U.S. 377 to Ray Roberts Parkway.
It would run continuously from Aubrey to
Tioga.
“It creates regionalism,” Lusk said. “Everybody knows Preston Road, so it would be the same deal for Ray Roberts Parkway.”
Council also discussed an agenda item requested by Wilson to streamline the Boards and Commission’s appointment process.
His suggestion included a single application with specific questions for each board, a subcommittee of three council members to review applications and conduct interviews when needed, and input and recommendations from board directors and chair.
The council agreed with Wilson’s suggestions, and the next step is to rewrite the application process and bring the new resolution to the council for approval.
