Council proceeds with water plant rehab option

The Olney City Council has authorized City Administrator Simon Dwyer to request Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) from engineering firms to explore rehabilitating the City’s 103-yearold water treatment plant.

The unanimous decision, made during the Nov. 12 meeting, aims to determine if upgrading the existing facility is a viable alternative to building a new plant, which is estimated to cost at least $15.5 million—$2 million over budget.

“This is about being good stewards of the money we have,” said Mayor Rue Rogers. “It costs us nothing to look into this and gather more information.”

The City issued $13.5 million in revenue bonds in 2023 to fund a new plant but has faced challenges staying within budget due to inflation.

The Council now seeks detailed proposals from engineering firms to assess the feasibility and cost of rehabilitating the current plant.

Dwyer said the SOQ process also ensures Olney remains eligible for potential federal and state funding, including grants from the Texas Water Development Board.

Councilmember Ronnie Cowert asked about the timeline for rehabilitation. Mr. Dwyer estimated planning could begin early next year, with construction potentially taking less than a year. “Rehabilitation would likely be completed much faster than building an entirely new plant,” Mr. Dwyer said.

The Council emphasized that no decisions have been made regarding the plant’s future. “This is just the first step,” Mayor Rogers said. “We want to explore all options and make the best decision for the community.”