Portland joins Coastal Bend Water Alliance, supports expanding Port of Corpus Christi commission

On March 18 the Portland City Council adopted Resolution No. 9‑29, joining the Coastal Bend Water Alliance and supporting an expansion of the Port of Corpus Christi Authority Commission from seven to nine members to add appointees for the city of Portland and the city of Port Aransas.

Mayor and council members said the resolution reflects a regional effort convened by state Sen. Adam Hinojosa; Chad McGill, staff to Sen. Hinojosa, addressed the council and said the move aims to strengthen regional collaboration to pursue large water projects and to position the Coastal Bend for possible funding tied to pending legislation (Sen. Perry’s SB 7 was discussed during the meeting as a potential source of large water‑project funding). McGill said the meeting that produced the resolution included roughly 34 regional leaders and that the City of Portland did not specifically seek the appointment but the expansion recommendation emerged from the regional discussion.

The resolution describes the Coastal Bend Water Alliance as a regional initiative to pursue funding and advance large‑scale water infrastructure projects including desalination, groundwater development, aquifer storage and recovery, and inter‑basin transfers. The council voted to approve the resolution after Councilman Wilson made the motion and Councilman Sutton seconded; the motion passed by unanimous vote of members present.

Council members and visiting staff emphasized that the resolution is an expression of regional support and a step toward coordinated planning and advocacy; it does not itself change Port Commission membership until state or relevant authorities enact enabling changes, the resolution states.