West Lake Hills weighs drainage projects

As the city of West Lake Hills prepares its budget for next fiscal year, funding drainage improvements around town is among many expenses being considered.

A drainage study conducted by K. Friese and Associates, the engineering firm hired to oversee the drainage project, identified 57 areas of interest in the city.

With public input, staff reports and on-site observations, the firm devised a weight-ranking system based on risks to public safety, damage to infrastructure and recurring maintenance. That formula was used to develop a list identifying the top 15 potential capital improvement projects.

As a way to implement the plan, the city decided it would fund projects less than $150,000 in annual budgets for drainage improvements. Projects over $150,000 will be considered as part of a future bond package.

The city’s current budget lays out $200,000 for drainage improvements.

Improvements at Reveille Road and Rocky River Road was listed in the city’s drainage master plan top 15, and the project was selected by council members for inclusion in this year’s budget.

After a bid review process, the City Council awarded a nearly $209,000 contract for the project to Austin Constructors LLC on June 27. The work consists of installing approximately 640 linear feet of storm sewer and grading at Reveille Pond, including any associated work.

The project costs approximately $36,000 more than the city anticipated, but Mayor Linda Anthony said that is driven by changes she feels makes it a better project.

“The budget itself changed because we decided we wanted to put the pipe underground rather than do drainage ditches, and we had a couple of other items added to the cost,” Anthony said. “I think doing it this way is going to be much more efficient and much less disruptive to the neighborhood.”

Next year, Anthony is proposing budgeting another $200,000 for drainage improvements.

Potential projects for consideration consist of improvements at Terrace Mountain Drive and Basin Ledge, estimated to cost $140,000, or improvements on Cedar Oak Drive, estimated to cost $95,000.

Both projects also were top-15 choices for the drainage master plan.

The council is expected to approve a budget with funding for drainage improvements in August.