Commissioners approve up to $50,000 toward Central Texas Water Alliance startup
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Summary
McLennan County approved up to $50,000 as an initial contribution toward forming the Central Texas Water Alliance, a multi-jurisdictional effort to secure new water supplies, with the judge designated to represent the county at the group's initial organizing meeting.
McLennan County commissioners voted July 1 to contribute up to $50,000 toward initial startup costs for the Central Texas Water Alliance and to designate a county representative for the alliance's organizing meeting.
Judge and commissioners discussed the alliance's initial organizing process, which will invite interested water users and governments to apply to serve on a governing body that will guide design and funding of potential regional water supply projects. County staff said Bell and other counties and water districts are expected to be founding members and that the initial organizing board may include two water districts plus county judges.
Staff described a range of design and funding work the alliance will need, including engineering and administrative setup, and said member governments would share initial administrative costs. The ledger shown to the court proposed equal contributions by participating entities to cover startup work; court members voted to approve McLennan County's participation at up to $50,000, subject to other jurisdictions making comparable commitments.
Commissioners and staff emphasized the alliance is an early-stage organizational effort intended to plan for long-term water supply solutions; staff said it will take years and bonding, grant and user-revenue strategies to finance construction of large-scale conveyance or treatment projects. The court approved participation and authorized the judge to serve as McLennan County's designee to the alliance's initial organization meeting.