Title
Consider a resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an Agreement to Share Costs with the Brazos River Authority for the No-Net-Loss Study.
Body
Round Rock currently has water under contract with the Brazos River Authority (BRA) that was made available under HB1437 that allows up to 25,000 acre-feet of water to be transferred from the Colorado Basin to the Brazos Basin. Of the 25,000 acre-feet, Round Rock has 20,928 acre-feet of this water under contract.Because there is currently a 25% surcharge on the contracted water from Lake Travis, the City is working with the BRA and the Lower Colorado River Authority on conducting a study to identify ways to offset future rising water costs as a result of No-Net-Loss from the HB1437 water.The BRA and City previously awarded a contract to K. Friese and Associates to assist with developing options that will allow the BRA and Round Rock to return water to the Colorado Basin to meet the No-Net-Loss requirement that would ultimately limit future rising water costs to the City. A preferred option of returning the water to the Colorado Basin has been identified and this option includes pumping water into the Cottonwood Creek. This contract includes additional analysis, route analysis, determine permitting requirements, estimating construction costs, etc. regarding this preferred option to transfer water back to the Colorado Basin. This contract is for an amount not-to-exceed $131,880, and will be shared at 50% each between the BRA and City.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends approval.