Relating to the creation of the Waller County Water Control and Improvement District No. 3; granting a limited power of eminent domain; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes.
The legislation confers significant operational abilities upon the newly formed district, including water management and road infrastructure improvements. It provides the legal framework for the district to issue bonds to fund these initiatives without needing voter approval for some types of revenue. However, voters must approve ad valorem taxes and bonds associated with such financing. This setup may enhance the district's financial flexibility while impacting local governance by creating a structure that potentially influences how local resources are allocated and utilized.
SB2476 establishes the Waller County Water Control and Improvement District No. 3 in Texas, thereby granting it certain powers including the authority to issue bonds and impose assessments, fees, and taxes. The bill outlines the governance structure of the district, which will be overseen by a board of five elected directors. It also specifies the initial territory of the district and mandates that its establishment serves a public purpose in line with the Texas Constitution. Notably, the district's creation will necessitate consent from the applicable municipalities before the directors can hold elections for permanent positions.
A critical aspect of SB2476 is its provision for a limited exercise of eminent domain. Should the district not receive a necessary two-thirds vote from the legislative houses, it would not be enabled to exercise this power at all. This raises questions surrounding the balance of local control and the powers granted to the district, with concerns that some local entities may resist its authority due to the implications of eminent domain on private property rights. The overall reception among stakeholders remains mixed, revolving around the balance between regional development and local autonomy.