Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District Meeting Highlights for Tuesday, April 9, 2019

CONROE, TX – The Regular Meeting of District Board commenced shortly after 6:00pm following the meeting
on Permits and Permit Applications. All Board members were present: President Webb Melder, VP Harry Hardman, Treasurer Jim Spigener, Secretary Stuart Traylor, Director Jon Bouché, Director Jonathan Prykryl and Director Larry Rogers.

There were no comments from the public and the minutes from past meetings on March 12 and March 27 were approved by the District Board.

District Bookkeeper, Kay Martin, shared the financials and net income year to date of $319,526. A thorough presentation of the proposed 2019 Operating Budget was delivered with an estimated 2 million net income. Most discussion was focused on the line item of $84,000 for audio/video at District meetings. Vice President Harry Hardman mentioned that the Board ran an election based on transparency so the budget item to include video recording is an important responsibility of the District. Other increases in the budget included anticipated election expenses and increased demand in consulting services.

At the March meeting of the LSGCD Board, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) shared detailed information on accessing public information on the groundwater monitoring system. USGS monitors water levels and collects data from the four aquifer layers under Montgomery County to determine forecast trends and the effectiveness of groundwater management with scientific data influenced by population growth and groundwater withdrawal. The USGS is very focused and interested on adding monitoring wells in the outcrop/recharge zones of the county. Interim General Manager, Samantha Reiter, studied the forecasts and the cost for providing this service from USGS in depth. Director Rogers and District consultants determined that there was an opportunity to suspend some of the less crucial services and reallocate the funds to add additional monitoring wells to study the recharge zones of the Gulf Coast Aquifer System layers.

Vice President Harry Hardman presented information on Groundwater Management Area 14 (GMA 14) and their last meeting on March 27. At that meeting it was made known to GMA 14 that the Board of Directors does not want to continue using “Run D” as its DFC.

Discussion was generated from Board Directors about possible tag lines for marketing material that reflect the new management plan with respect to personal property rights. No decision was made during the meeting. Consideration and approval passed for a new District Media Policy. Any board member representing the District in a Board capacity must have approval by the General Manager and/or coordinate with the Board President before committing to a meeting, media, or other capacity.

Acting General Manager Reiter discussed possible action to issue a show cause order for appropriate enforcement action on permittees who failed to remit 2019 water use fees. Motion was approved and there will be a Show Cause Hearing at the May 14 LSGCD Board meeting.

Reiter reported that the District’s new education and conservation coordinator has been busy attending events throughout the community including a recent visit to the Montgomery County Fair & Rodeo and upcoming visits to 6 elementary school classes and 2 junior high schools. She then provided information about the upcoming Town Hall meetings to be held throughout the county.

Meeting scheduled include:
April 22nd at 5:30pm at the South County Community Center, The Woodlands
April 23rd at 5:30pm at Conroe City Hall, Conroe
April 24th at 8:30am at EMC Improvement District, New Caney
April 24th at 5:30pm at Montgomery Community Building, Montgomery
April 25th at 5:30pm at Bear Branch Elementary School, Magnolia

Meeting adjourned at 6:50pm.

More information on meetings, agendas, and minutes may be found at www.LoneStarGCD.org