Petition calling for election on $7.2 million in Certificates of Obligation puts $16.8 million in grant funding at risk
Last week, a faction of Maverick County residents presented a petition. Their aim was to ensure that the newly proposed Certificates of Obligation, which Maverick County intended to use to leverage funding from the Texas Water Development Board, would be put to a vote. This funding was crucial for the realization of a project aimed at benefiting the residents of Maverick County’s Northside.
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However, the actions of this group, who were actively gathering signatures for the petition, have now put Maverick County in jeopardy of losing $16.8 million from the Economically Distressed Areas Programs.
The petition has demanded an election for Maverick County to decide on the issuance of $7.2 million in Certificates of Obligation. The verification of the collected signatures is currently underway at the County Clerk’s Office.
Should the signatures of at least 2,500 verified Maverick County voters be collected, a vote will be required on the $7.2 million Certificates of Obligation. This situation could potentially jeopardize the $16.8 million in grant funding from the Texas Water Development Board, due to strict deadlines. The primary objective of this project was to introduce water and sewer services for the first time in Maverick County’s Northside.
On June 6, 2023, Maverick County in Texas received a significant financial boost from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB). The TWDB approved a substantial package of $24,000,000, which includes $7,200,000 in financing and an impressive $16,800,000 grant from the Economically Distressed Areas Program (EDAP). This funding will provide essential support for water development projects in one of Texas’ most economically challenged areas.
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The County has outlined plans to utilize this financial aid for the planning, procurement, design, and construction of a comprehensive water and wastewater system project. This project is set to introduce wastewater services for the first time in the central area of the Quemado community. Additionally, it aims to extend water services to residences located north of the existing Quemado water service area and those along Thompson Road north of the Elm Creek area. The County also intends to replace 12 malfunctioning meters in the Thompson Road vicinity.
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is a state agency with a multifaceted role. It is responsible for the collection and distribution of data related to water, and it assists with regional water and flood planning, as well as the preparation of state water and flood plans. Furthermore, the TWDB oversees financial assistance programs that are cost-effective. These programs are designed to fund the construction of projects related to water supply, wastewater treatment, flood control, and agricultural water conservation.
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