https://www.wacotrib.com/news/city_of_waco/city-budget-proposal-heavy-on-streets-infrastructure-work-almost-ready/article_656f54e3-6ac3-5ba1-a9bd-3c036fab9d60.html

Capital Improvement Program Manager Jim Reed recapped streets projects and lessons learned from the 2018-19 budget year and gave the budget committee an overview of proposals for the upcoming year.

Reed said his department's goal is to attain a pavement index rating of 70 out of 100. Waco currently sits at a 45.5 rating.

Proposed pavement projects for the next fiscal year include just over $1 million for crack sealing and filling on 28.3 miles of street, $1.5 million for slurry seal on 21.3 miles, $659,000 for microsurface work on 4.2 miles and $156,000 for seal coat work on 2.8 miles.

In addition, more than 60 individual streets projects of all sizes will be added to the 2020 pavement program. The preliminary budget sets aside $21 million total for street improvements in 2019 and $28.4 million in 2020.

Director of Water Utility Services Lisa Tyer gave a presentation outlining $22.3 million in improvements to the city's overall water system, the Lake Brazos Dam, and water lines in downtown, as well as $16.3 million budgeted for wastewater improvements. Tyer said water rates for the city would increase, estimating an average residential monthly bill would come to $96.85, an increase over this year's average bill of $91.43.

Tyer also said the department is budgeting $23 million for waterline replacement to match the pace of street projects.

The current solid waste rate of $14.20 per month would increase to $16.10 in 2020, then to $18.20 in 2021. The landfill gate fee would increase to $35.25 for McLennan County residents and $43.01 for nonresidents. Dowdell said even with the increase, Waco's services would still remain more affordable than other Texas cities.