The Environmental Commission unanimously passed a motion to recommend approval to include Austin Water Utility capital improvement projects in Austin Water’s five-year capital spending plan at its meeting Wednesday night. The project relates to improvements to new water in wastewater treatment plants, capital expansions and growth-related projects in the Drinking Water Protection Zone. Kristi Fenton, the utility financial manager at Austin Water, said a 2011 audit conducted by the city of Austin was the reason for the request. The audit, she said, exposed inconsistencies with state law in the department’s financial policy. Fenton said the proposed request was part of the review process to make Austin Water plans more consistent with state law. “The intent was to get more review from citizens and different boards to look at projects in (the Drinking Water Protection Zone),” she said. If approved by City Council, the review will last through 2022.
Austin Water’s five-year financial plan gets the OK
