The FY 2026-2027 budget message notes that Wingate has accumulated approximately $1,415,100 in its System Development Fee Capital Reserve Fund specifically to finance replacement of the Town’s primary 8-inch ductile iron water transmission main along Highway 74. This transmission main is described as a critical backbone of the water distribution system and has reached the end of its useful service life, with replacement intended to improve system reliability and support future growth. No engineering or construction vendor is identified yet, and the funds are being reserved for the project rather than spent this fiscal year, indicating that detailed design, bidding, and construction contracts are still to come. For vendors in water infrastructure design, construction, and inspection, this is a clear early-stage capital project with identified funding and scope where the Town will need engineering design, permitting, construction, and possibly materials and inspection/testing services before work can proceed.

Wooten Engineering developed the system development fee structure but is not stated as the design or...