Central Texas Water Alliance delays membership decisions, outlines petition and notice requirements

The Central Texas Water Alliance on a motion and second agreed to table formal action on membership criteria and the application process, citing the need to finalize governance framework and ensure statutory compliance. Board members reviewed existing applications and discussed statutory petition and public-notice requirements. Board members said they have received seven membership petition forms from prospective sponsors: the City of Lorena; Bell County WCID No. 3439 Water Supply Corporation; Middle Trinity Groundwater Conservation District; Pendleton Water Supply Corporation; Mustang Springs Utility; Bluebonnet Water Supply Corporation; and Kempner Water Supply Corporation. The board also said the application window remains open. Board counsel and staff summarized requirements in the enabling statute cited during the meeting. The board discussed subsection requirements that the alliance must hold a hearing on a petition and, if the board issues an order adding a local government as a sponsor, require the local government to publish notice in a newspaper of general circulation at least once per week for two consecutive weeks, with the first publication at least 14 days before the order's effective date. Middle Trinity's petition letter, board members said, included a proposed $25,000 contribution; the board did not act on that request. Board members discussed developing membership categories (for example: water purveyors vs. non-purveyors; public vs. private) and a fee structure tied to volumetric measures or other formulas; members emphasized the need to avoid excluding smaller rural providers. Board members directed the technical committee and the consultant to produce draft membership criteria and a financial-management recommendation for the next meeting; the full board voted to table the item until those drafts are prepared. The motion to table carried by voice vote.