EDC hears competing infrastructure priorities: downtown tributary, 4th Street and gravity sewer on FM 1093

At the May 11 meeting the EDCA board reviewed staff recommendations for FY27 CIP participation and discussed which projects should be prioritized with a reduced sales‑tax allocation.

Staff presented downtown tributary drainage improvements and said Public Works requested $1,098,250 for that work. The board discussed whether the A board should fund the entire request, split it with the B board, or fund a smaller share; staff said the split is a board decision and staff will carry messages to the other board if requested.

Board members asked which projects would yield near‑term economic development: staff said both the downtown tributary and work on 4th Street enable near‑term development because they add necessary drainage and utilities; the South FM 1093 gravity line is immediately useful for utilities in outlying development but may require right‑of‑way or easement work that can affect timing and routing.

Staff stressed sequencing considerations and said some segments (for example, 4th Street at FM 359) have design work complete and could be show‑ready in the next fiscal year; other projects require easement acquisition or land work that could delay ground breaking. Board members requested updated drainage maps, a clearer breakdown of how proposed EDC funding interacts with commercial vs. residential percentages and a multi‑year projection showing fund balance impacts if multiple projects are funded now.

Next steps: staff will return with refined project sequencing, clearer cost breakdowns and a three‑year sales‑tax projection to help the board weigh short‑term impact versus conserving funds for larger, later projects such as a parking structure.