WPCN p6"2:]}ypa|(f#?tG6;S j!>mdSe;Ty =!KbcbTkpyʫ{L2s^w8m.?P hB"~!卤R@ei83ޟ ^Gno;i^8{,2pKi4Qr~!!>XVwɀ R׋5oUݾesަy\@V+!}ݺ&'gEH@v\\9yjvWs&|{4e+IB{}ymϋM'/7"bbH1ݞMp.+= { Itw3Ll1hnWՇXUDjt((uJ6xG9Et148qMfXAס&ŐUqfrFWɬ|[b~Z#U/N % 0: U@; ^ { w 4   m N 0V 0V fu aw  Q    iq 0~K 0D  B1\\ipp://192.168.0.2\Akita,,,,0(9 Z6Times New Roman RegularX($USUS.,<4 9Z+(Times New Roman {W7s ݣ%5T)tCorel3|xU(.3$ !USUS.,  (.3$ !USUS.,  ݘNTABLE ALevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5   ($USUS.,    1    _ԀTXXForexample,thevariousprovisionsregardingconversionandconsolidation,annexation,andexclusionofterritoryfromwaterdistrictsarenot  addressedbelow.Norarethedetailedprovisionsgoverningnoticeandhearingandelectionrequirementsforeachdistrictincluded.#XXTf#(.(3($ !USUS.,      0  (#$  0    )USUS.,  _ XXBickerstaff,Heath,  Smiley,Pollan,Kever&McDaniel,L.L.P.8-8-8-.Page  1  #XX @#    d !USUS.,  _TRP$'3 Letter LandscapeX3' Letter'3 Letter Landscape3'T    JyXX_CreationofWaterDistrictsImplicationsforCountiesandCities#XX Jy# @XX    #XX@[#  Thefollowinginformationhighlightscertainsignificantimplicationsforcountiesandcitiesofthecreationofvarioustypesofwater T districtsinTexas.Theseimplicationsincludetheterritoryfromwhicheachtypeofdistrictmaybecomposed,andtherolesthatthecounty, B thecity,andvoterswithinthosejurisdictionsplayinthecreationofeachtypeofdistrict.Itshouldbenotedthattherearemanyother 0 statutes!includingwithintheTexasWaterCode(particularlyChapter49,provisionsapplicabletoalldistricts),theTexasPropertyCode,   andtheTexasLocalGovernmentCode!thatgoverntheintricaterelationshipsamongtheseoftenoverlappingpoliticalsubdivisions. #  1      ׀Also   noteworthyisthefactthatnearlyeverytypeofdistrictlistedbelowhaspowersoftaxation,andbondissuanceauthorityrequiringelections.   Whilemanywaterdistrictsarecreatedbyspeciallaws,theprovisionsofwhichmustbereadtogetherwiththesegenerallawprovisions,   thefollowingoverviewofthegenerallawisinstructiveforcountiesandcities:    @XX*Yddd Xdd Xdd X.., dd , dd , dd ,A dd +  z z   TypeofDistrict  .   DistrictComposition  .   CountyRole  .   CityRole .   #XX@# MunicipalUtilityDistrict    Tex.WaterCodeCh.54TXX  x AMUDmayincludetheareainallor   partofanycountyorcounties, R includingallorpartofanycitiesand j otherpublicagencies(_TWC_Ԁ 2 54.013). ' '#XXTc #TXX_MUDs_Ԁarecreatedbypetitiontothe   _TCEQ_,followedbyaconfirmation R election.However,ifallorpartofa j proposedMUDislocatedoutsidethe 2 _ETJ_Ԁofacity,thecommissionerscourt  mayreviewthecreationpetitionand r otherinformationandsubmitawritten : opinionto_TCEQ_Ԁregardingthe R countysrecommendationoncreation   ofthedistrict(_TWC_Ԁ54.0161). '! 'Iflandwithinacityslimitsor_ETJ_Ԁis  " tobeincludedinthedistrict,thecity R# mustgiveitswrittenconsent;under j$ certaincircumstances,_TCEQ_Ԁshall 2% allowcreationofaMUDorinclusion & oflandwithinaMUDevenwithout r' thatconsent,butonlyforlandwithin :( thecitys_ETJ_.Thecityalsohas R) certainpowerstoplaceconditions * andrestrictionsonthecreationofa + MUD(_TWC_Ԁ54.016). Z, _ #XXT #WaterControland d ImprovementDistrict  R Tex.WaterCodeCh.51TXX  @ AWCIDmayincludeallorpartof d oneormorecounties,includingany , town,village,ormunicipal P  corporation,andmayincludeany   otherpoliticalsubdivisionorany   defineddistrict(TWC51.012).A  L  WCIDlocatedinmorethanone p   countymustbeapprovedbythevoters 8   ineachcounty. '   'Inapetitionandconfirmationelection d  process,thecommissionerscourt , considersandordersthecreationofa P WCIDwhoseincludedlandiswithin   onecounty,whileTCEQconsiders   andordersmulticountydistricts.#XXT#TXX  L (TWC51.016;seealsoTWC p  51.017.026(procedurestocreate 8  singlecountydistrict);TWC   51.027.036(procedurestocreate  l multicountydistrict)).However,a 4 proposedWCIDthatincludeswaste X disposalamongitspurposescanonly    becreatedbyTCEQ(TWC51.331).#XXT9#TXX '  'Nocity,town,ormunicipal d corporationmaybeincludedwithin , anygenerallawWCIDunlessthe P propositionforcreationhasbeen   adoptedbyamajorityofthevotersin   thatcity,town,ormunicipal  L  corporation(TWC51.035).Any p ! citymayelecttotakeadvantageof 8 " theprovisionsofTWCChapter51,  # andbasicallyturnitselfintoaWCID  l$ (TWC51.052). 4%  #XXTE#GroundwaterConservation D & District  2 ' Tex.WaterCodeChs.3536TXX    ( AGCDmustbewithinanexisting D ) groundwatermanagementorpriority   * managementarea.Thedistrictmay x + includeallorpartofoneormore @, counties,cities,districts,orother d- politicalsubdivisions.Ifthedistricts ,. territoryislocatedinmorethanone / county,amajorityofvoterswithin `0 eachterritorymustapprove(TWC (1 36.012,36.019). 'L2 'AgenerallawGCDiscreatedby D 3 petitiontotheTCEQ,followedbya   4 confirmationelection.(TWC x 5 36.013.015,36.016.51).Upon @6 designationofapriorityarea,TCEQ d7 maydeterminewhetheradistrictis ,8 needed;ifso,landownersmaycreate 9 adistrictpursuanttoChapter36,the `: areamaybeannexedtoanexisting (; district,oradistrictmaybecreated L< legislatively.(TWC35.002(1), = 35.012(a)).Separateprovisions > governthecompositionandcreation H? ofaGCDforaprioritygroundwater l@ managementarea.(TWC36.0151, 4A 36.0171). 'B 'Ifpartoftheterritorytobeincluded D C inthedistrictislocatedina   D municipality,noseparatevoting x E districtisestablishedforpurposesof @F determiningwhetherthe dG municipalityistobeincludedinthe ,H district;thefailurebythevotersin I themunicipalterritorytoconfirmthe `J districtscreation(orannexationof (K territory)doesnotpreventthat LL territoryfrombeingincludedinthe M district(TWC36.018). N  #XXTn#FreshWaterSupplyDistrict  d Tex.WaterCodeCh.53TXX  R AFWSDincludesallorpartofa d singlecounty;citiesandtownsare , includable(TWC53.012,53.061). 'P 'Thecommissionerscourtmaycreate d oneormoreFWSDsinthecounty, , throughaprocessofpetitionfollowed P  byconfirmationelection.(TWC    53.011.021(creationprocedures)). A    FWSDinoradjacenttoaheavily  L  populatedcountymaybedividedinto p   twonewdistricts,uponvoterapproval 8   inanelection(TWC53.029.043). '  ' d  #XXT$#WaterImprovementDistrict  \ Tex.WaterCodeCh.55TXX  J AWIDmaybesingleormulti \ county.Thedistrictmayincludeall $ orpartofoneormorecities,towns,   villages,andmunicipalcorporations, X  butnolandmaybeincludedinmore |  thanonedistrictatanyonetime D  (TWC55.023). '   'AWIDmaybecreatedundereitherof \ thetwoconservationamendmentsto $ theTexasConstitution(TWC   55.021).Thecommissionerscourt X  maycreateoneormoreWIDsinthe |  county,throughaprocessofpetition D  followedbyconfirmationelection.    (TWC55.022.037(proceduresto x  createsinglecountyWID);seealso @! TWC55.040.046(proceduresto d" createmulticountyWID,bypetition ,# toTCEQ)). '$ 'Therearealsoprovisionsunder \% whichanycity,unincorporatedarea, $& orcountyincludedwithinthe  ' proposedWIDmaybeexcluded X ( fromthedistrictifthemajorityof | ) votersintherelevantareadonot D * favorcreation(TWC55.047).   +  #XXTP(#IrrigationDistrict  d Tex.WaterCodeCh.58TXX  R Anirrigationdistrictmayincludeall d orpartofoneormorecounties, , includinganytown,village,or P municipalcorporation,andmay   includeanyotherpoliticalsubdivision   oranydefineddistrict,providedthe  L landisagriculturalincharacter.If p   territoryislocatedinmorethanone 8   county,amajorityofvoterswithin    eachterritorymustapprove(TWC  l  58.012). '4  'Anirrigationdistrictmaybecreated d undereitherofthetwoconservation , amendmentstotheTexasConstitution P (TWC58.011).Inapetitionand   confirmationelectionprocess,the   commissionerscourtconsidersand  L ordersthecreationofanirrigation p  districtwhoseincludedlandiswithin 8  onecounty,whileTCEQconsiders   andordersmulticountydistricts  l (TWC58.016;seealsoTWC 4 58.017.026(procedurestocreate X  singlecountydistrict)). '   'Nocity,town,ormunicipal d corporationmaybeincludedwithin , anygenerallawWCIDunlessthe P propositionforcreationhasbeen   adoptedbyamajorityofthevotersin   thatcity,town,ormunicipal  L  corporation(TWC58.035). p !  #XXT.#DrainageDistrict  | " Tex.WaterCodeCh.56TXX  j #   Agenerallawdrainagedistrictis | $ whollylocatedwithinonecounty.It D % mayincludeallorpartofanyvillage,   & town,ormunicipalcorporation,but x ' landincludedinonedrainagedistrict @( maynotbeincludedinanyother d) (TWC56.012.013). ,* 6  Adrainagedistrictmaybecreated | + undereitherofthetwoconservation D , amendmentstotheTexasConstitution   - (TWC56.011).Apetitiontocreate x . adrainagedistrictispresentedtoand @/ heardbythecommissionerscourt, d0 followedbyengineeringanalysisand ,1 aconfirmationelection(TWC 2 56.014.026;56.082).Asan `3 alternativemechanism,thedistrict (4 creationprocessmaybeinitiatedbya L5 petitionbyregisteredvoterstothe 6 commissionerscourt(TWC56.033). 7 Uponproperresolutions(and H8 election),adistrictboardspowers l9 maybetransferredtothe 4: commissionerscourt(TWC56.069). ; 28  | <  #XXTP6#LeveeImprovementDistrict  d Tex.WaterCodeCh.57TXX  R Aleveeimprovementdistrictmaybe d composedoflandintwoormore , counties;inthiscase,thecreation P  petitionmustdesignateoneofthose   countiesasthecountyofjurisdiction,   whichwillhavejurisdictionoverall  L mattersconcerningthedistrict(TWC p   57.012). '8   'Apetitiontocreatealevee d  improvementdistrictispresentedto ,  thecommissionerscourtorthecounty P  judge.Thecourthearsanddecides   thepetition,withformalinputfrom   theCommissionsExecutiveDirector  L (TWC57.012.019,57.026). 'p  ' d  #XXT<#NavigationDistrict   8 Tex.WaterCodeChs.6063; & notcoveredbyCh.49TXX  p  Anavigationdistrictmayincludeall  8 orpartofavillage,town,ormunicipal \ corporation,andallorpartofvarious $ typesofotherdistrictsandpolitical   subdivisions.However,Chapter61 X  navigationdistricts(createdunder |  Tex.Const.art.III,52)andChapter D  63( selfliquidating)navigation    districtsformedbythepetition x  electionprocessmaynotinclude @ territoryinmorethantwocounties d  (TWC61.022,63.023).Chapter ,! 62navigationdistricts(createdunder " Tex.Const.art.XVI,59)maynot `# containterritoryinmorethanthree ($ counties(TWC62.022). L%  'l) 'AsinglecountyChapter61  8* navigationdistrictmaybecreatedon \+ ataxpayerpetitiontothe $, commissionerscourt(TWC61.024);  - atwocountydistrictmaybecreated X . onapetitiontothecommissioners | / courtofthecountythatcontainsthe D 0 greaterportionoftheproposed   1 districtsterritory(TWC61.025).A x 2 confirmationelection,withtwothirds @3 voterapproval,isthenrequired.The d4 creationrequirementsforaChapter62 ,5 navigationdistrictarethesame, 6 exceptthatonlymajorityvoter `7 approvalisnecessary. '(8 'IfaproposedChapter61district  89 includesanyterritoryofspecial \: chartercities,thehearingbodyon $; thecreationpetitionincludesthe  < commissionerscourtandthecity X = councilmembers(the navigation | > board)(TWC61.029). D ? _    #XXTA#SpecialUtilityDistrict  d Tex.WaterCodeCh.65TXX  R ASUDmayincludepartsofoneor d morecountiesandmayalsoinclude , municipalitiesandotherpolitical P subdivisions(TWC65.013).    '8   'Theboardofdirectorsofawater d  supplycorporationmay,byresolution, ,  petitiontheTCEQtobeconverted P  intoaSUD.TheCommissionmay   grantthepetitionastoallorpartof   thelandproposedtobeincluded,  L whichgrantisfollowedbya p  confirmationelection(TWC 8  65.014.015). '  'ASUDwithouttaxingstatusmaybe d createdwithouttheconsentofacity , withinwhoseETJthedistrictmaybe P located;however,thecityhas   authoritytoapproveandinspectthe   districtsconstructionoffacilities  L (TWC65.016). p  #XXTJ# StormwaterControlDistrict  \ Tex.WaterCodeCh.66  J TXXStormwatercontroldistrictsare \ createdtoadoptfloodprevention $ measuresforaparticularwatershed,   whichmayspanallorpartofoneor X  morecounties(TWC66.012). | !  '@% 'Astormwatercontroldistrictis \& createduponpetitiontoTCEQ,either $' byresidentsoftheproposeddistrictor  ( bythecommissionerscourt(s)ofthe X ) county(s)locatedentirelyorpartially | * withintheproposeddistrict,followed D + byaconfirmationelection(TWC   , 66.014,49.102). x -   \. #XXTO# RegionalDistrict  / Tex.WaterCodeCh.59  0 TXXAregionaldistrictmaybecreated 1 onlyincountieswithapopulationof d2 atleast3.3million,orborderingon ,3 suchacounty(TWC59.001).A P4 districtmayincludetheareainallor 5 partofanycountyorcounties, 6 includingallorpartofanycitiesand L7 otherpublicagencies#XXTS#ԀTXX(TWC p8 59.003(d)). '^9 'Inadditiontomunicipaldistrict : boardsandcertainlandowners,the d; commissionerscourtsofoneormore ,< countiesmaypetitionTCEQfor P= creationofaregionaldistrict(TWC > 59.003(a)(3)).Adistrictisonly ? created,pursuanttoanypetition L@ grantedbytheCommission,upona pA successfulconfirmationelection. 8B (TWC59.025). 'C 'Thegoverningbodyofanycitymay D petitionTCEQforcreationofa dE regionaldistrictinanyterritory ,F withinthecityoritsETJ(TWC PG 59.003(a)(4)).Requirementsthata H cityconsenttotheinclusionofland I withinitslimitsorETJinaregional LJ districtaresimilartothose pK requirementsgoverningthecreation 8L ofMUDs(TWC59.006).Upon M annexationorincorporationofallor lN anypartofadistrictsterritory,the 4O citysucceedstothepowers,duties, XP assets,andobligationsofthedistrict  Q (TWC59.071).  R #XXTU# RiverAuthority  d  [nogenerallawprovisions; R eachisaspeciallawdistrict]  @ TXX      d   d  #XXTL\# Preparedby:SusanM.Maxwell  D     ` Bickerstaff,Heath,Smiley,Pollan,Kever&McDaniel,L.L.P.   2  Sources:0 ` XXXTexasWaterCode#XXX]#XXXj` .` .    ` DavidB.Brooks,CountyandSpecialDistrictLaw#XXX]#,ch.46(2ded.2002)