Lewisville - Coppell | August 2024

Government

BY KEVIN CUMMINGS & JONATHAN PERRIELLO

Coppell updates water restrictions

Lewisville sta take rst steps on 2024 bond projects

Lewisville sta are gearing up for projects addressing long-term capital improvement, in addition to waterworks and sewer system improvements. On July 15, City Council approved ordinances authorizing the issuance and sale of bonds that allocate $27 million for capital improvement projects and $16.3 million for water and sewer projects, according to city documents. The bonds were part of the four propositions Lewisville voters approved in May. The details The capital improvement projects include an expansion at the animal shelter and improvements to city streets, sidewalks and parks, per city documents. The bond also funds parkland acquisition and installation of public art. For water and sewer projects, city ocials aim to improve the wastewater treatment plant, replace lines and improve infrastructure, accord- ing to documents. The context In May, Lewisville residents approved a $263.4 million bond package aimed toward citywide Lewisville to consider city charter changes Community leaders and residents will soon get a chance to provide input on how the city of Lewisville’s government operates. At a July 15 meeting, City Council voted unanimously to appoint ve members to the 2024-25 charter review commission. In a nutshell City charters are similar to a constitution guiding the local government. According to city documents, an appointed ve-member group reviews the charter every ve years. The commission will meet for the next six months and propose changes. Residents can also submit suggestions. Mayor TJ Gilmore said any changes will come through council at the end of the six- month period and be put to voters in a May 2025 election.

Proposition breakdown

Coppell residents can water two days a week for nearly half of the year after council updated the water conservation plan July 9. Zooming in The new plan adjusted non-watering times, reduced weekly limits in each drought stage and increased nes. With the changes, residents and busi- nesses are prohibited from watering between 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. year round. Stage 1 restrictions are in place year round and limit watering to Wednesdays and Sundays for odd-numbered residential addresses, and to Tuesdays and Saturdays for even-numbered ones. Stage 2 is similar to Stage 1. Stage 3 limits watering to once a week. Stage 4 prohibits all watering. Without implementing an update, the city anticipates using 19 million gallons per day by 2025, a $350,000 annual increase in cost, Public Works Mike Garza said. Allowing the daily use to increase stresses the city water system, making failure more likely, he said.

Proposition A: $6.7M

for public safety projects, including re access facilities at Lewisville Lake Park and purchasing land for the relocation of Fire Station No. 4.

Proposition B: $9.9M

for expansion of the Gene Carey Animal Shelter and Adoption Center.

Proposition C: $47.9M

for parks projects, including new and expanded parks, trails and public open spaces citywide.

Proposition D: $198.9M

for street projects citywide, including infrastructure to support the proposed redevelopment of The Vista mall area.

SOURCE: CITY OF LEWISVILLECOMMUNITY IMPACT

infrastructure needs. The last time voters saw an infrastructure bond was in 2015, when they approved $135 million in four propositions.

Counties statewide to receive $3 billion for water projects On July 23, the Texas Water Development Board approved more than $3 billion in nancial assistance for projects statewide through the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas program, which helps communities mitigate cost by provid- ing favorable repayment terms. Various projects across Texas are set to receive funding, including nearly $483 million for two Upper Trinity Regional Water District projects. The details The UTRWD is using $320.8 million to continue construction of the Lake Ralph Hall reservoir in Fannin County and $162 million for the expansion of the Tom Harpool Regional Water Treatment Plant in Denton County north of Lewisville Lake, said Jason Pierce, manager of governmental aairs

The Lake Ralph Hall reservoir is expected to begin delivering water in 2026.

COURTESY UPPER TRINITY REGIONAL WATER DISTRICT

and communications. As the region continues to grow, the district anticipates needing a new reservoir by the end of the 2020s. Construction began in 2021, Pierce said. Zooming in The district is in the design phase of the treatment plant expansion, Pierce said, which will increase capacity from 20 million gallons per day to 30 million by 2025, per district documents. The project should begin construction in the next 60 to 90 days, Pierce said.

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