Goldsboro City Council approved nearly $1.9 million in funding to move forward with the next phase of planning for upgrades to the city’s wastewater treatment plant.

The funding will support a “basis of design” report and 30% engineering design work, which will allow the city to better estimate the total cost of needed upgrades to the reclamation facility.

Council approved the project through two separate votes — one authorizing the project and a second amending the capital project fund ordinance to allocate the funds from utility capital reserves.

City leaders said the step is critical in preparing for future infrastructure demands and ensuring compliance with environmental and regulatory requirements. Officials noted the planning phase will help the city make informed decisions before committing to full construction costs.