City okays long-term water contract
By Melinda L. Lucas
After reviewing options presented by West Central Texas Municipal Water District, Albany’s city council voted to enter into a 26-year contract to purchase 130 acre feet of water rights annually from Possum Kingdom Lake through WCTMWD, beginning August 2020.
The cost of the guaranteed raw water supply is $20,540 per year regardless of whether or not it is drawn, explained city manager Billy Holson, who also said that WCTMWD wanted the contract decision by Dec. 1.
He suggested that adding $1 or $2 per month to water customers’ bills would cover much of the cost should the council decide to go ahead with the contract, but he commented that the council didn’t need to decide the funding method right away.
“About 10 people have talked to me about purchasing PK water, and none of them wanted to do it,” said council member Lester Galbreath. “None of us know the future, and there are risks either way.”
Holson pointed out that although Albany’s current water source, Hubbard Creek Reservoir, has never run out of water, it came close several years ago.
“It never has gone dry, but there have never been as many people pulling from it as there are now,” said Holson.
“Water is a commodity that we will not have enough of in the future,” said Susan Montgomery. “What if we don’t have this opportunity later?”
Carolyn Waller made the motion, which passed unanimously, to purchase 130 acre feet of water rights per year at an annual cost of $10,270.
Downtown Benches
Albany senior Seth Hale asked for permission to start seeking funding for his Ford Leadership Scholar project, “Roots and Rest,” which is a “sustainable community service” that will replace aging wooden benches in town with powder-coated metal benches that have limestone slab seats.
Artist Joe Barrington will produce the pieces, and Hale hopes to find enough sponsors this school year for the first six or seven benches.
He suggested using the brand of the sponsor on the back support or possibly placing a small memorial plaque on the back.
Although the item wasn’t on the agenda, Hale was informally given the go-ahead to proceed.
