Plano utility rates rise as council approves new fees, erosion work

By R.J. Morales | TX3DNews

PLANO — Plano City Council approved new utility rates, an erosion-control engineering contract and several other city projects Monday, including agreements tied to the November special election and improvements along G Avenue.

Water, sewer and trash rates increase Oct. 1

Residents will see higher water, sewer and trash bills beginning Oct. 1, with the city estimating a typical residential customer will pay about $16 more per month.

The minimum water charge increases from $30.90 to $33.40, while the sewer minimum rises from $21.50 to $23.20. A standard 95-gallon trash cart increases from $25.60 to $26.60.

The city’s $16 estimate is based on a residential customer using 10,000 gallons of water, 7,000 gallons for the sewer calculation and one standard trash cart.

The rate changes passed as part of the council’s consent agenda without separate discussion.

City identified 42 erosion sites

Council members separately discussed a $270,487.50 engineering contract with Walter P. Moore and Associates for erosion-control improvements at various locations around Plano.

Assistant Director of Engineering Angela Fland said Plano examined 127 miles of streams during a citywide assessment that began in 2022.

“We looked at 127 miles of streams in the city,” Fland said.

The assessment was conducted during winter periods in 2022, 2023 and 2024. A consultant examined erosion sites, erosion-control structures and lake systems and scored locations based on risk.

Plano used a scoring system from zero to 100. Sites scoring between zero and 20 were considered critical. Fland said that can include erosion threatening a house or business, exposed water or sewer lines, or a failing wall.

“The main one that we look at is the criticality to structures, especially our assets,” Fland said.

The assessment identified 42 sites. Fland said staff checks a location again before sending it to an engineering consultant to determine whether conditions have changed.

“Before we even put this on in a scope for an engineering consultant, we actually go back out there,” Fland said.

Staff can also reassess locations when residents report erosion problems near a home or creek.

The engineering work will evaluate potential fixes before a later construction contract.

“We identified a problem,” Fland said. “We’re going to study it, see what our potential mitigation strategies will be.”

Fland said the approach can depend on the slope, type of failure, available space and infrastructure that needs protection. She listed options including gabions, more sustainable measures and concrete matting.

The project includes streambank stabilization, vegetation establishment, outfall reconstruction and sewer realignment at critical erosion sites around Plano.

The council approved the contract 8-0.

Plano approves $104,332 election contract

The council approved a $104,332 contract with Collin County Elections Administrator Kaleb Breaux for election services connected to Plano’s Nov. 3 special election on the venue tax.

Plano contracts with both Collin and Denton counties for election services. The $104,332 agreement approved Monday is with Collin County.

The contract passed with the consent agenda and was not discussed separately during the regular meeting.

Other spending approved Monday included a $3.78 million construction contract for the High Point Fuel Station and $468,599 for engineering work on Plano traffic signals.

G Avenue project includes eminent domain authority

The council authorized the city to use eminent domain, if necessary, to obtain two easements for improvements along G Avenue between 14th and 15th streets.

City Real Estate Manager Matthew Joerger said condemnation is not the city’s first step when property is needed for a project.

“We always seek to obtain that property voluntarily and work with the property owner in good faith,” Joerger said.

Joerger said the city presents property owners with fair-market-value offers and explains how construction would affect their property. The city can also make reasonable changes to project plans during negotiations.

The project calls for a 10-foot-wide hike-and-bike trail along the east side of G Avenue. The city needs approximately two-foot-wide strips from two properties, including a proposed 185-square-foot sidewalk easement at 1410 G Avenue.

The eminent domain authorization passed 8-0 in a recorded vote.

Council also designated 842 square feet of city-owned property at 1406 G Avenue as public right-of-way for the project. Plano acquired the property in November 2023 through its land bank initiative, and the Police Department currently uses the building for equipment storage.