Taxpayers of the Travis County Water Control & Improvement District No. 17 face a rate increase of $5 a month beginning in January to pay for future costs related to upcoming road construction along RM 620.

Between 2018 and 2023, the Texas Department of Transportation intends to roll out a series of projects to ease congestion in the Four Points area, including the creation of a new interchange for eastbound traffic traveling from RM 620 onto RM 2222 as well as making changes to RM 2222 to accommodate the new traffic flow.

WCID No.17 has water and wastewater lines along RM 620 from Hwy. 71 past Steiner Ranch to RM 2222. The TxDOT projects will be extremely expensive to fund for the district because water lines will have to be moved, said General Manager Jason F. Homan, who estimated costs at about $9 million.

“In order to fund this large expense, the District Board of Directors feels it is in our taxpayers’ best interests to begin planning now,” Homan wrote in an email to taxpayers. He added the upfront expense would eliminate the need to call for a bond.

WCID No. 17 is holding a public meeting to discuss the rate change Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. at its district offices, 3812 Eck Lane, Austin. Call 512-266-1111 ext. 113 for more information.