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Neighbor dispute over private water meter tabled by Sinton council
Summary
A dispute over ownership and access to a private water meter serving four properties at 13921 CR 962 was presented to council by David DeAses and opposed by representatives of the Escamilla family; council voted to table the item to April 21, 2026 for further consideration.
A dispute over a private water tap, meter and line serving several rural properties drew conflicting claims at the Sinton City Council meeting on March 17 and was tabled to the council’s April 21 meeting.
Property owner David DeAses told the council he purchased 13921 CR 962 in August 2023; he said the property had an active water utility account under the name of Rosie Barrera at the time of purchase and requested that the city allow him to assume the existing private water tap and meter or, failing that, approve installation of a new city meter. Mr. DeAses provided a map and documentation referencing the meter. Representatives or parties connected to Joe and Julia Escamilla disputed DeAses’s characterization and alleged the meter and access had been provided by Joe Escamilla in the past and remains private.
Councilmembers heard both sides and discussed city policy and the unclear title/ownership of the private infrastructure. Mayor Pro Tem Greg Ybarra moved to table the item until the April 21 regular meeting (6:00 p.m.); Councilmember Lulu Lopez seconded and the motion carried 4-0. No formal resolution on ownership was reached; the item will return for further investigation and documentation.
