TO:	Honorable Robert Puente, Chair, House Committee on Natural Resources
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB4072 by Gattis (Relating to the creation of the 3 B&J Municipal Utility District; providing authority to impose a tax and issue bonds; granting the power of eminent domain.), As Introduced

The Legislative Budget Board, in cooperation with the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), has determined that:
 
The bill creates the 3 B&J Municipal Utility District of Williamson County (District) with the powers and duties of a municipal utility district under Water Code Chapters 49 and 54. The purpose of the District includes: providing works and projects under powers conferred by Article XVI, Section 59 of the Texas Constitution to benefit the property within the District and the power of eminent domain.  The District is subject to confirmation election by the voters.
 

1)   Population - The detailed description of the proposed boundaries does not allow staff to develop precise population estimates.  The 2000 Census population of Williamson County was 249,967, with 25,519 living in areas identified in the 2007 State Water Plan as “County-Other” (outside cities of more than 500 and established water utility districts).  The total county population is projected to increase to 476,833 by 2020, the County-Other population is projected to be 16,269.
 
 
2)   Location - The district is located within Williamson County.

3)  Comments on Powers/Duties Different from Similar Types of Districts-    If the District has not been confirmed before September 1, 2011, then the District is dissolved on September 1, 2011.  The District must comply with the October 31, 2003, agreement between the Lower Colorado River Authority, the Brazos River Authority, the City of Georgetown, the City of Liberty Hill, and Chisholm Trail Special Utility District. 
 
4)  Overlapping Services-    The stated boundaries do not form a closure.  There is insufficient information provided in the bill to determine if the District overlaps any water supply or sewer‑service corporations, investor‑owned utilities, or local water districts or authorities.  An area map containing at least two references points (major road names, road intersections) and the proposed district’s geographic location mapped within Williamson County is needed to complete overlapping service check. A metes and bounds description (preferably with the source Abstract listed) is needed.
 
5)  TCEQ's  Supervision-    As with general law districts, the TCEQ will have general supervisory authority, including bond review authority and review of financial reports.

6)  Water Use - 92 percent of Williamson County water use in 2004 was for municipal purposes.   53 percent of the total water use, and 54 percent of the municipal water use, comes from surface water sources.