Riverbend OKs utility's request for membership

Riverbend Water Resources District's Board of Directors approved Central Bowie Water Supply Corp.'s request to become a full member of the district during their regular meeting Wednesday.

To formally become a member of the water resources district, a bill allowing them to join must be passed during the next session of the Texas Legislature.

"It's not a done deal yet," Riverbend Executive Director and CEO Liz Fazio Hale said. "We will work to draft legislation, and once that's passed, they will be a member entity."

The legislation is required because Riverbend's enabling act does not allow water supply corporations to become members. CBWSC, which extends from New Boston to DeKalb, will work with the water resources district and Rep. Gary VanDeaver, R-New Boston, to draft the legislation, which will be presented during the 86th session of the Texas Legislature. The session begins Jan. 9, 2019.

In other business, the board discussed the proposed water rate increases included in Riverbend's Regional Water Master Plan, passed during the district's September meeting. The projected increases would be used to fund items within the RWMP, including a new water intake on Wright Patman Lake, a new raw water line to TexAmericas Center and a new water treatment plant.

The rates would be increased gradually over the next few years.

"I have a personal goal of keeping it below three dollars in 10 years," Fazio Hale told the board. She also said Northeast Texas Municipal Water District's current rate is around $1.40 per 1,000 gallons and the North Texas Municipal Water District, which serves the Rockwall and Plano area, is currently at $2.40 per 1,000 gallons.

"They have also petitioned for an increase to make it $2.80," she said. "Their rates in 10 years are going to be higher than what we're projecting our rates to be in 10 years, and that's kind of the game we're trying to play, particularly when it comes to recruiting industry and what impact it will have."

The RWMP is available at Riverbend's website, www.rwrd.org. The next regular meeting is scheduled for 12 p.m. Nov. 28 at the Riverbend offices, 228A Texas Ave., New Boston, Texas.

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