Title
Consider and take action on a resolution authorizing an Interlocal Agreement with Galveston County Health District (GCHD) for water pollution control and abatement services in an amount not to exceed $60,898.60 (Director of Public Works)
Background:
Approval of this item will authorize an Interlocal Agreement with the Galveston County Health District (GCHD) for water pollution control and abatement services.
The City participates in an Interlocal Agreement with the Galveston County Health District (GCHD) to provide water pollution control and abatement services, as follows:
Complaint Investigations: Investigates, documents, and assists in resolving water quality (local waterways, not potable) complaints within the jurisdictional limits of League City. These investigations provide a third-party authority in cases posing or potentially posing imminent and substantial health and welfare or persons or the environment, GCHD may utilize its authority to seek enforcement action through the court systems in Galveston County.
Spot and Comprehensive Compliance Inspections (CCI): Conducts one annual CCI and three scheduled spot inspections of the Dallas Salmon Wastewater Treatment Plant (DSWWTP) and the Southwest Water Reclamation Facility (SWWRF). These inspections align with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) wastewater treatment facility inspection protocols and support regulatory compliance with discharge permit requirements.
Local Waterway Sampling and Investigations: Provides surface water sampling and laboratory testing of local waterways in support of the City’s MS4 stormwater permit and other water quality studies. Also performs follow up investigations of non-point source pollutant incidents, based on results of surface water sampling.
Other participating entities in this regional agreement include Jamaica Beach, La Marque, Hitchcock, Santa Fe, Friendswood, Texas City, Dickinson, WCID #1, WCID #8, and Bayou Vista (MUD #12).
Contract and Cost Summary
GCHD utilizes a per capita calculation to establish the cost for complaint investigations, which make up the majority of the contract expense. The population figure used in the calculation is based on the most recent U.S. Census, conducted every ten years. Additional services are assessed on an individual unit cost.
The substantial cost increase for this year represents the final of four incremental adjustments recommended by GCHD following the recent 2020 U.S. Census. From 2010 through 2020, GCHD applied the same population figure for complaint investigations, resulting in a flat rate over that 10-year period. When the 2020 Census figures were applied, the updated population created a significant increase in cost.
This sudden increase raised concerns among all participating entities, as well as their respective Boards and Councils. To address these concerns, GCHD recommended phasing in the adjustment incrementally over a four-year period. Furthermore, GCHD has committed to updating population figures annually to help prevent any similar instances of sudden escalation.
Current FY25 Cost (3rd of 4 incremental adjustments) - $34,109.30
Proposed FY2026 Contract Cost - $60,898.60
- Complaint Investigations (117,428 population x $0.45): $52,842.60
- DSWWTP Spot Inspections (3 x $396): $1,188.00
- DSWWTP CCI (1 x $570): $570.00
- SWWRF Spot Inspections (3 x $384): $1,152.00
- SWWRF CCI (1 x $558): $558.00
- Surface Water Sampling (2 x $2,294): $4,588.00
The annual cost of the program for FY2026 will be $60,898.60, funded equally by the Wastewater Department and the Streets and Stormwater Department. Adequate funding is available in the approved FY2026 budget.
The contract period will run from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
Attachments:
1. Proposed Resolution
2. Exhibit A – Interlocal Agreement
3. GCHD 2024 Water Pollution and Abatement Control Report
4. Vendor Report Card
CONTRACT ORIGINATION: Agreement has been reviewed by the City Attorney’s Office.
FUNDING
{X} Funds in the amount of $60,898.60 will be split between the Wastewater Department and Streets & Stormwater Department from the following accounts in FY26: Wastewater - Professional Services account #10207500-53050 in the amount of $30,449.30 and Streets & Stormwater – Water/Wastewater Analysis account #3300000-53950 in the amount of $30,449.30.
STRATEGIC PLANNING
{X} Addresses Strategic Planning Critical Success Factor # 3 – Safe and Desirable Community