Kaufman County Fresh Water Supply District No. 1-B

History | Fact Sheet

History

On January 8, 2001, the Kaufman County Commissioners Court approved the order creating Kaufman County Fresh Water Supply District No. 1, and voters of the District confirmed the creation at an election held on January 20, 2001. In another election held on May 5, 2001, the voters approved the District�s assumption of the rights, authority, privileges and functions of a road district and authorized the District to purchase, construct, acquire, own, operate, repair, improve and extend a sanitary sewer system. On May 10, 2001, following a hearing, the governing board of the District approved the conversion of the District to a water control and improvement district operating under Chapter 51 of the Texas Water Code and specifically reserved certain rights under Sections 53.029, 53.030 through 53.034, 53.040 through 53.041, 53.112, 53.121, and 53.125 of the Texas Water Code.

At an election held within the boundaries of the district on August 11, 2001, voters approved the division of District No. 2 into two new districts: Kaufman County Fresh Water Supply District No. 1-A and Kaufman County Fresh Water Supply District No. 1-B. Pursuant to the provisions of Chapters 49,51 and, for limited purposes, 53 of the Texas Water Code, the District is empowered to purchase, operate and maintain all facilities, plant and improvements necessary to provide water, sanitary sewer service, storm sewer drainage, irrigation, roads, solid waste collection and disposal, including recycling, construction of parks and recreational facilities for the residents of the District. The District also has the power to acquire, construct, operate and maintain facilities and is empowered to contract for or employ its own peace officers with powers to make arrests and, subject to certain regulatory and voter approvals, to establish, operate and maintain a fire department to perform all fire-fighting activities within the District. The District held its first meeting on October 2, 2001, and sold its first series of bonds on December 5, 2004.

Fact Sheet
Overview of FWSD's and details specific to KCFWSD1B

Phase 1 of Windmill Farms lies within Kaufman County Fresh Water Supply District-1B. KCFWSD-1B was created in 2001 and is both a FWSD and WICD (Water Improvement Control District)

KCFWSD-1B is a political sub-division of the State of Texas with a board of directors who oversees the operations of the district. KCFWSD-1B is monitored by the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality (TCEQ)

KCFWSD-1B is governed by Chapter 49, 51 , and parts of chapter 53 of the Texas Water Code

KCFWSD-1B's responsibility is to oversee that the district has the systems and operations in place to provide and maintain water/sewage operations. KCFWSD-1B is also responsible to maintain other infrastructure such as roads, fire hydrants, etc.

KCFWSD-1B is allowed to collect revenues using 2 methods. One method is by a voter approved ad valorem tax. The second method is through the water and sewage rates.

The board consists of 5 elected directors who serve staggered 4 year terms. Elections occur in May on even years and are conducted based on the Texas Election Code. A director must be an owner of taxable property in the district at the time of the election.

If a director steps down, the board appoints a replacement until that term has ended.

In order to accomplish the duties of the district, the board engages in contracts with consultants and operators to run the district and provide opinions. Severn Trent for example is contracted to run the water/sewage system, print bills, read meters, etc.

All board meetings must comply with the Texas Open Meeting Laws, meaning they are open to the public and notice must be given in advance. Postings are placed on the bulletin board in front of the Buckingham Swim Center and meetings are typically on the 4th Thursday of the Month at 7:00pm at the offices of Severn Trent, 9550 Helms Trail, Suite 800, Forney, TX 75126.

Any bonds taken out by the district must be voter approved.

FWSD are used to help spur growth and infrastructure in unincorporated areas. A FWSD is considered a utility district and is one of the many different types of utility districts. Other local communities (ex: Heartland & Travis Ranch) are in Municipal Utility Districts (MUD), which is another type of utility district with similar functions.