At Tuesday’s meeting of the Board of Directors, Brown County Water Improvement District #1, an excellent report was received from the District’s financial audit firm Merritt, McLane, and Hamby, P.C. of Abilene. Michael Hamby praised the District for providing all necessary information in good order, found no problems, and issued an “unmodified audit opinion,” meaning they have no reason for concern with the financial information provided, and is the highest opinion that can be given to an audit. Hamby said they found only six audit adjustments necessary, which is an extremely low number for most audits. The ratio of assets to liabilities goal is 3 to 1, but the District’s ratio is 8.5 to 1, which is excellent. Net investments in capital assets has an audit goal of any positive number, and the District is positive by $13 million. Also Hamby said the audit found no significant items over budget.
Also on the agenda was a proposal from the engineering firm of Freese and Nichols to conduct a meter analysis study at a cost not to exceed $54,711. General Manager John Allen explained that the District has a 30-inch pipe that has a very low rate of water flow, making it difficult to meter. Henry Weid, Public Works Director for the City of Brownwood, attended the meeting and offered to work with the Water District to study the problem with his staff and engineers, with the belief that they could develop a solution to the problem, and prevent the District from having to spend $54,711 with Freese and Nichols. The Board agreed, and voted to table the proposal from Freese and Nichols.
Steve Adams, General Manager of the Brookesmith Special Utility District, addressed the Board for the second month in a row, seeking an extension to the contract between the two Districts. The current contract began in 2011 and runs for forty years, until 2051. The Brookesmith SUD is working on an $8 million project that will improve service to the Shamrock Shores area of Lake Brownwood. They have applied for a loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which has requested that the contract between Brookesmith and the Brown County Water Improvement District be extended for another forty years, to the year 2064. Allen and the Board members responded that the current contract calls for a maximum of 700 million gallons per year, and that the Brookesmith SUD use has exceeded that amount for several years in a row. Two years ago the District requested from Brookesmith a new volume figure for the future, so that the District can plan their treatment plant capacities. Only recently has that information been provided to the District by Brookesmith SUD, and the District’s engineers have not had time to make their calculations. Adams explained that the loan request with the USDA has a deadline of December 5, and asked the Board to extend the contract at the current volume of 700 million gallons, to avoid the risk of not qualifying for the USDA loan and having to cancel the project at Shamrock Shores. The Board declined the request, and tabled the matter.
The Board also reviewed and set irrigation rates and other fees for the 2025 year. The irrigation rate was dropped to $62.00 per acre foot from the current $62.50. The boat stall fee was raised to $100/year from the current $75/year. All other fees and charges were unchanged.
General Manager Allen reported that Lake Brownwood is currently at 1425.45 feet, about 1/2-foot above spillway. He said Lake Coleman is also still above full, sending more water to Lake Brownwood. One year ago Lake Brownwood was at 60.8% capacity. The current statewide average lake capacity is 72.3%