Kennedale — At a strategic planning workshop, Kennedale council members and staff identified water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure as critical priorities for the next decade and instructed staff to pursue condition audits and to present funding options tied to assessment results.

Councilmembers raised recurring sewer infiltration in older clay mains and noted that heavy rains cause measurable spikes in system flows. Members also discussed the city’s water storage and supply planning, and the council asked staff for a timetable showing when projected supply and storage improvements will be required as growth continues.

Stormwater and drainage also featured in council discussion. Staff and some councilmembers said stormwater has been a significant cost driver for residents and the city; the workshop included a request that staff describe maintenance backlogs and the capital work required to address erosion and aging storm systems. Staff suggested audits that catalog needs for water, sewer and stormwater systems, then use audit results to set rates or identify bond and grant strategies.

The council directed the city manager to return with an implementation plan that includes: a prioritized list of pipes, mains and storm projects based on condition assessments; a proposal for how to fund those projects, including possible rate adjustments tied to audit outcomes; and recommended timing for water storage projects to ensure supply resilience over the next 10–15 years.

Staff also noted that some fixes may be eligible for grants and that interlocal agreements with regional providers could factor into long‑term supply choices.