The committee voted to forward two related ordinances to Council to support the city’s lead water service line replacement and inventory programs.

Billy Vaughn, deputy director for finance at the Department of Public Utilities, described the measures as a continuation and acceleration of ongoing work to meet new federal lead and copper rules. Ordinance 2025-003 is a grant agreement with the Virginia Resources Authority to fund private-side replacements (the customer side of the meter) and was described as a $2,377,500 grant. Ordinance 2025-004 authorizes the CAO to sign a funding agreement for a 1% loan of $2,622,500 to finance the city-side replacements (from main to meter).

Rhonda Johnson, public information manager for the Department of Public Utilities, explained the program includes an equity component informed by Justice40 objectives: approximately 40% of funding prioritizes properties in Justice40-identified disadvantaged areas. Johnson said a water service line inventory has been developed and submitted to the Virginia Department of Health in accordance with federal guidelines; the replacement plan required by 2027 will enable more strategic targeting. She said roughly 10 private-side replacement slots remain in the current funding phase, at about $6,000 per replacement, and the next funding round will open in spring.

A public hearing was held with no speakers. Committee members discussed equitable outreach, eligibility and the need to make testing and remediation information available to residents; the clerk recorded Miss Lynch, Vice Chair Jones and Chair Robertson voting aye to forward the ordinances to council with a recommendation to approve.