LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
WATER DEVELOPMENT POLICY IMPACT STATEMENT
 
80TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
May 3, 2007

TO:
Honorable Royce West, Chair, Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations
 
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
SB919 by Harris (Relating to the creation of The Lakes Municipal Utility and Management District of Tarrant County; providing the authority to issue bonds and impose taxes.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted

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

 

The bill would amend the Special District Local Laws Code by adding Chapter 3855 to create The Lakes Municipal Utility and Management District of Tarrant County (District) as a special district under Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution, and as a municipal utility district under Chapters 49 and 54. The purpose of the District includes providing works and projects for the benefit of property within its boundaries under the authority of Sections 52 and 52-a, Article III and Section 59, Article XVI of the Texas Constitution; Chapter 375, Local Government Code; and Chapter 3855, Special District Local Laws Code. The District would be subject to a confirmation election by the voters.

 

1)  Population – The total 2000 Census population of Tarrant County was 1,446,219. The total population is projected to increase to 1,956,163 by 2020. The city of Arlington had a population of 332,969 in 2000, and is projected to increase to 453,656 by 2020. The population of Tarrant County that lies outside cities with a population of 500 or more is projected to remain constant at 23,911.

 

      2)  Location – The District would be located within Tarrant County. At least a portion of the District would lie within the limits of the city of Arlington.

 

      3) Comments on Powers/Duties Different from Similar Types of Districts    The District would have road powers and power to provide improvement projects.

 

4)  Overlapping Services   The stated boundaries for Tracts 2, 3, and 5 do form an acceptable closure; however, Tracts 1, 4, 6, and 6/Save and Except do not. There is insufficient information provided in the bill to determine if the District would overlap any water supply or sewer‑service corporations, investor‑owned utilities, or local water districts or authorities. An area map containing at least two reference points (major road names, road intersections) and the proposed district’s geographic location mapped within Tarrant County is needed to complete overlapping service check. A revised metes and bounds description (preferably with the source Abstract listed) is also needed.  Tract No. 1 may overlap CCN No. 12311: the City of Fort Worth; CCN No. 10105: the City of Grand Prairie; the City of Arlington; and Tarrant Regional Water District. Tract No. 2 may overlap the City of Arlington. Tract No. 3 may overlap the City of Fort Worth and the City of Arlington. Tract Nos. 4 and 5 may overlap the City of Fort Worth; the City of Grand Prairie; and Tarrant Regional Water District. And, Tract No. 6/Save and Except may overlap the City of Fort Worth and Tarrant Regional Water District.

 

5)  TCEQ's Supervision    In the event the District issues bonds to finance water, wastewater, or drainage projects it will require review by TCEQ. Otherwise, the District is not subject to TCEQ supervision.

 

6)  Water Use – According to TWDB 2004 Water Use estimates, 94 percent of Tarrant County water use was for municipal purposes, with 4 percent for manufacturing. Ninty-four percent of the total and municipal water use comes from surface water sources.



Source Agencies:
580 Water Development Board, 582 Commission on Environmental Quality
LBB Staff:
JOB, DB