Scottsdale secures $11m WIFA loan for WestWorld drainage improvements

Scottsdale secures $11m WIFA loan for WestWorld drainage improvementsThe city council has authorized an $11 million financial package, including $1 million in forgivable principal, to fund stormwater infrastructure upgrades.

The $11 million loan is sourced from the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona's Clean Water State Revolving Fund.

Funds will be used to construct drainage improvements at the WestWorld event complex.

City lobbyists also reported the defeat of a state bill that would have restricted the city's ability to accrue long-term water storage credits during a Colorado River shortage.

The City of Scottsdale is moving forward with planned stormwater infrastructure upgrades following the City Council’s approval of an $11 million loan agreement on April 14. Sourced from the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona (WIFA) through its Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program, the financial package includes an estimated $1 million in forgivable principal. The funds are earmarked specifically for the construction of drainage improvements at WestWorld, a large multi-use event complex in the city. The ordinance, which delegates the execution of the loan to the City Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, was passed unanimously without discussion as part of the council’s consent agenda. In a separate update during the meeting, city lobbyists briefed the council on state legislative matters impacting local water utilities. Dr. Marc Osborn noted that a proposed state bill that would have prohibited municipalities from putting additional water resources into long-term storage credits following a Colorado River shortage declaration failed to advance. The restriction would have limited the tools available to the city for managing its water supplies. Osborn noted that the state legislature remains highly focused on Colorado River shortage determinations and is in a "wait-and-see mode" regarding future water resource management strategies.