Lance Wood

The January 22, 2022, meeting included the acceptance of the Fire, Engineer's, and Manager's Reports. Key actions included the approval of the Order Calling Directors' Election for May 7, 2022, and ratification of current bills. The Board entered into several closed executive sessions to deliberate on a lease agreement with Dirt City Ranch, LLC, update on an outstanding claim with the Texas Workforce Commission, and the evaluation of the General Manager. No action was taken after returning to the open meeting.

The board meetings encompassed a variety of operational and financial actions. Key discussions included the approval of multiple payment requests for the WWTP Disinfection & Lift Station and the WWTP Sludge Removal Project, as well as a change order for the sludge removal project. The board adopted an election order for the Director's election, discussed the application to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for district projects and unlimited tax bonds, and authorized the submission of a Compliance Supplemental Environmental Project. Additionally, the board tabled several items related to bond redemption and approved an amendment to the order calling the Director's election.

Throughout the year, the Board conducted several meetings focusing on infrastructure projects, including the Electrical SCADA Project, Central Heights Lift Station and Gravity Diversion Project, Neches River Outfall Project, 600,000-gallon ground storage tank replacement, and various water line replacements. Discussions included the review of payment requests, change orders, construction completion certifications, and warranty periods for these projects. Financial matters were a significant focus, with the Board adopting budgets for the General Fund and Fire Department, setting tax rates, authorizing bond elections for unlimited tax bonds, and approving audit engagements. Additionally, the Board handled administrative items such as rate schedule adjustments, personnel evaluations, out-of-district sanitary sewer service agreements, and surplus equipment donations.

The January 18, 2024, Regular Meeting included discussions and actions on several items. Key financial activities involved approving Payment Request #4 of $80,677.44 to Jefferson Electric Co, Inc. for the Electrical SCADA Project, and ratifying current bills. A significant action was the ratification and filing of an application with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for the 2024 $3,700,000 bond for the Neches River Project. The board also conducted an executive session for the evaluation of the General Manager, followed by approving a 4% raise for the General Manager by general consent.

The agenda for this meeting includes several key considerations and possible actions. Discussions will cover Fire Department reports on runs, response, training, and equipment. The Engineer's Report from Leavins Engineering & Design, LLC, will address the Wastewater Treatment Plant Sludge Removal Project and the Chlorine Disinfection Basin & Lift Station project. The Board is scheduled to consider approvals for pay estimates from MK Constructors and Black Fox Services, LLC, for the Disinfection & Lift Station and Sludge Removal projects, respectively. Furthermore, the agenda includes adopting resolutions and orders concerning the issuance of Unlimited Tax Bonds for district projects and the redemption of Series 2015 Unlimited Tax Bonds maturing in 2028, 2030, 2032, and 2029. The Manager's Report will cover updates on the Director's Election, customer complaints, maintenance, regulatory updates, and the Quarterly Report. The Board plans to enter an executive session for the evaluation of the General Manager.