Council backs two state funding applications for Hollywood Road wastewater work

The Amarillo City Council on Oct. 28 authorized staff to pursue two state funding pathways to support the Hollywood Road wastewater treatment and interceptor work: a $20 million state general revenue grant directed by the Texas Legislature and an application to the Texas Water Development Board’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) intended use plan for loan consideration.

What council approved - Resolution approving submission of the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) grant package tied to a $20 million legislative appropriation (Senate Bill 1) and authorization for staff to follow the state’s application and review processes. - Resolution authorizing city participation in the TWDB competitive SRF intended‑use plan (IUP) application process for additional project financing and confirming city intent to proceed with planning and engineering deliverables required by the state program.

Why it matters: Hollywood Road is a multi‑year wastewater project with substantial capital needs. The TWDB grant would directly reduce the capital costs carried by local ratepayers; the SRF loan could provide low‑cost financing for construction once engineering and program requirements are met.

Process and next steps - City staff explained the TWDB will review engineering, finance and legal documentation and then consider the grant application in public sessions; the SRF application is competitive and reviewed through the TWDB’s intended use plan process. - Staff said both processes typically take several months; approvals by TWDB and subsequent loan/closing actions will return to council for final action before any loan is executed.

Ending: Council approved both actions in single readings so staff could meet TWDB timelines; staff will continue engineering work and coordinate with state reviewers as the grant and SRF processes proceed.