Heath's City Council was scheduled to award a construction contract for Water Well #3 at its Tuesday, Sept. 8 meeting, the next step in the city's multimillion-dollar push to build its own water supply.

The meeting agenda also listed a vote on an ordinance amending the city's fee schedule for food trucks on city property and a closed-door session to consult with the city attorney on pending litigation against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

City Engineer John Hernandez and engineering firm Kimley-Horn were listed as presenters on the Well #3 item, which would authorize City Manager Steven Alexander to execute a construction contract with the selected bidder. The winning contractor and contract amount had not been made public as of Wednesday, Sept. 9. Meeting minutes had not yet been posted.

Well #3 is part of Heath's Water Bridge Plan, a six-well system that would give the city its own water supply. Each well can produce up to 1 million gallons per day. The plan also calls for a 1.5-million-gallon elevated storage tank on Governors Boulevard and a 3-million-gallon ground storage tank at the city's pump station in Rockwall.

The stakes are large. The council approved up to $41.5 million in Certificates of Obligation on April 28 to fund the work. Well #1, at Towne Center Park, has been drilled and developed. The elevated storage tank was awarded June 23 to Phoenix Fabricators & Erectors, Inc. for $7.86 million. Wells 2, 3 and 4 are planned at the north water tower, the Governors Boulevard water tower and the Heath pump station.

"The board is in alignment with Phase 1 of the Water Bridge Plan and will move forward recommending Phase 1, as presented," Mayor Jeremiah McClure said at an April 8 joint work session with the Finance and Audit Advisory Board. "Phase 1 is $40.5M and includes a 10-year call …"

At the Aug. 11 council meeting, Councilwoman Michelle Thurgood recognized State Sen. Bob Hall and his chief of staff Amy Lane for helping Heath apply to the Texas Water Development Board's Water Supply and Infrastructure Grant Program.

Assistant City Manager Chelsey Gordon was listed as the presenter on the food truck ordinance, which would amend the fee schedule for food trucks operating on city property. Specific fee amounts were not available in the posted agenda.

The agenda also scheduled an executive session under Texas Government Code Section 551.071 to discuss City of Heath v. Honorable Ken Paxton, Cause No. D-1-GN-23-001939. The council entered a similar closed session on the same case at its Aug. 17 special meeting, after which Mayor McClure stated no action was taken. The nature of the lawsuit has not been disclosed publicly.

Vote counts and contract details for Well #3 will appear in the meeting minutes once posted on the city's website.