The Legislative Budget Board in cooperation with the Water Development Board (TWDB) and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), has determined the following:

Subject to a confirmation election the bill would create the  Williamson County Municipal Utility District No. 16 in Williamson County with the powers and duties of a Municipal Utility District (MUD) governed by Water Code Chapters 30, 49, 50 and 54; providing authority to impose a tax and issue bonds.

1) Population- Due to the very specific metes and bounds descriptions of the parcels, staff is not able to estimate a population within the proposed district.  The two nearest entities to be included in the 2006 Region G Water Plan are the City of Liberty Hill and Chisholm Trial SUD.  The population for the Chisholm Trail SUD is expected to grow from 11,202 in the year 2000 to 19,019 in 2010.  The population for the City of Liberty Hill is expected to grow from 1,409 in the year 2000 to 2,440 in 2010.

2) Location & Size- The proposed district would be composed of 151 acres and appears to be located in west Williamson County; along State Highway 29, west of the City of Liberty Hill.

3) Powers- As with general law MUDs, the District would have the power to accomplish the purposes of Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution. The District must obtain the approval of the Brazos River Authority for the design of any district wastewater treatment facility. Only the Brazos River Authority or a provider approved by the Brazos River Authority may provide wastewater service in the District.

4) District Finances- Consistent with general law for municipal utility districts. The District may issue tax and/or revenue bonds, levy a maintenance tax, and set fees and rates.

5) Board of Directors- The District is to be governed by a board of 5 elected directors. The directors will serve staggered 4-year terms. On or after September 1, 2005 a person owning land within the District may submit a petition to the TCEQ requesting that the Commission appoint as temporary directors the persons named in the petition.

6) Eminent Domain- Same as general law districts, the District will have the power of eminent domain under Texas Water Code Chapter 49.

7) Ability to Tax- Yes, for bonds and maintenance purpose, subject to voter consent, which is consistent with general law for MUDs.

8) Ability to Exclude Property-No data available.

9) Overlapping Services- No known overlapping entities were found.

10) Adequacy of Boundary Description- A closure check of the description of the proposed District has been performed and the boundary does appear to create an acceptable closure.

11) Comments on Powers /Duties Different from Similar Types of Districts- The District must be confirmed before September 1, 2009, or the District is dissolved.

12) TCEQ’s Supervision- As with general law districts, the TCEQ will have general supervision authority, including bond review authority and review of audit reports.

13) State Water Plan Objectives-Water Use: The proposed district would be located over the Edwards (BFZ) Aquifer or Trinity Aquifer.  Within Williamson County, 35 percent of the total water use was groundwater in the year 2000.  Eighty-seven percent of the groundwater use was for municipal purposes.