Harris County Mud 49

The Board addressed several public comments regarding high water bills, resulting in a partial bill reduction and payment plan for one resident, while advising another renter to negotiate with their property management company concerning a leak repair delay. A credit was authorized for a customer experiencing high usage attributed to a faulty meter. The Board reviewed and approved minutes from previous meetings held in November and December 2025. The law enforcement report covered crime statistics, speeding concerns, and improperly parked vehicles. Discussion occurred with Best Trash regarding the annual CPI rate adjustment, where the vendor agreed to cap the increase at 5.2%. The tax assessor-collector's report showed 2025 taxes at 4.8% collected. Operations reports indicated service levels for water, wastewater, and garbage collection, along with water production volumes and accountability metrics. The Board questioned engineering invoices for detail and requested annual cost estimates. Approval was granted for the consent agenda items, including financial reports. Proposals for facility security systems were presented, and the Board decided to hold a special meeting in late January to hear presentations on Smart Meters. The attorney was authorized to submit the annual eminent domain filing to the Texas Comptroller by the February 1, 2026 deadline. During executive session, the Board approved settlement agreements with Benchmark Engineering Corporation and Great American Insurance Company. Finally, the Board discussed a recent change in the onsite supervisor from the operator, TNG, expressing concerns about consistency and requesting assurance of continued high-quality service.

The Board of Directors meeting included several agenda items for consideration and action. Discussions involved public comments, law enforcement reports, and a report from Best Trash, including the Consumer Price Index (CPI) adjustment. The consent agenda covered routine items such as the Tax Assessor/Collector's Report, Operator's Report, Engineer's Report, and Bookkeeper's Report, authorizing bill payments, maintenance, facility repairs, and investment of funds. Additionally, the Board planned to consider orders adopting residence homestead exemptions and levying penalties for delinquent taxes, compliance with Tax Code §26.18, annual review of consultant insurance, a maintenance agreement with Harris County WCID 96, authorization for a Risk and Resilience Assessment, and the Order for Election of Directors. Discussions were also scheduled regarding development requests in the District and potential executive sessions.

The meeting included a law enforcement report and a discussion regarding cars with expired tags parked on the street. The tax assessor-collector's report was reviewed. The monthly operations report was presented, detailing water and wastewater connections, water production, and billing and collections. The engineer's report covered the retaining wall rehabilitation project, booster pump capacity addition for Water Plant No. 2, Fall Creek detention expansion and repair, wastewater treatment plant improvements, and coordination with AT&T regarding fiber lines. The Board reviewed the Champions Hydro-Lawn report, the bookkeeper's report, and the audit of the books and records of the District for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025. They also discussed updating the Tax Code Section 26.18 and Texas Government Code Section 2051.202 compliance document, affirming the review of the investment policy, reviewing the District's investments for compliance with Senate Bill 253, and the District's continuing disclosure obligation. The Board briefly discussed proposals for security systems at District facilities and development reports. The Board convened in executive session to discuss pending litigation.

The Board addressed an urgent public necessity related to a mediator's settlement proposal in the Benchmark lawsuit. Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, the deadline for accepting or rejecting the proposal did not allow for the standard three-day notice for the meeting. The Board convened in executive session to receive legal advice regarding the pending litigation and then voted to accept the mediator's settlement proposal in Harris County MUD 49 versus Benchmark Engineering Corporation, authorizing the attorneys to finalize the settlement.

The board discussed law enforcement and tax collection reports. A resident complained about speeding, and the board opened a public hearing on the proposed 2025 tax rate. They reviewed the tax rate recommendation, capital projects, and potential bond issuance. The board approved an amendment to the statement of directors and discussed the monthly operations report, including water connections, wastewater connections, garbage collection, water production, and billing collections. A proposal for adding surveillance systems to the District's water and wastewater facilities was presented. Sinkholes were discussed, and the operator was asked to conduct monthly inspections. The engineer reported on TCEQ violations, retaining wall retention projects, booster pump capacity addition, Fall Creek detention expansion, and AT&T equipment encroachment. The board also discussed permits for storm water quality and authorized additional inspection of construction work. A request for capacity from the Inn at Ralston Road was approved. The bookkeeper's report was presented, and the board designated a member to vote on the District's behalf in AWBD elections. Finally, the board approved assumptions for calculating a nontaxable entity monthly water rate and convened in executive session to discuss pending litigation.