Mineral Wells Area News

By Mayor Regan Wallace / Special to Mineral Wells Area News

If you didn’t early vote, be sure and get to the polls on Tuesday, November 4. There are 17 propositions on the ballot, but the one that affects our local rural world most directly is Proposition 4.

This proposition is a constitutional amendment to allocate a portion of the state’s sales tax revenue to the Texas Water Fund. As I mentioned in my previous column on city finances, the state collects 6.25% of the total 8.25% in local sales tax. The state currently holds a surplus of around $46 billion, and Proposition 4 would commit $1 billion annually from 2027 through 2047 to fund water projects.

At this time, there is very little grant or “free” money available for areas working to replace or improve existing water infrastructure — and no funding at all for new water projects like Turkey Peak Reservoir. Without state participation, the entire financial burden falls on current ratepayers. Even though current funding is in the form of low-interest loans, they still come with significant restrictions, which ultimately affect local taxpayers and utility customers.

What Prop 4 Would Do

If Proposition 4 passes, half of the allocated funds would go toward new water projects — the first opportunity in decades for the state to offer grant funding that could potentially lower your water bill.

Some opponents have called it an “unregulated slush fund,” but that’s simply not accurate. The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is one of the most highly regulated agencies in the state. Applications are detailed and competitive, projects are thoroughly reviewed, and all meetings are subject to the Texas Open Meetings Act. Citizens are welcome to attend, speak, and submit public comments.

What It Means for Turkey Peak

About a month ago, our Water District Manager, City Manager, a District Water Board member, and I traveled to Austin to discuss what this proposition could mean for Turkey Peak Reservoir.

While the TWDB cannot make any funding promises before Prop 4 passes, they are already working on the application process and scoring criteria. Based on current project timelines, Turkey Peak is expected to score very high.

Turkey Peak is the most advanced shovel-ready reservoir project in Texas. It’s been 30 years in the making, and many of the most difficult steps — inclusion in the State Water Plan, land acquisition, conservation easements, and obtaining a 404 permit — are already complete. Even so, it qualifies as “new water” because it creates a brand-new raw water source for treatment and distribution.

Does Prop 4 Raise Taxes?

No. It returns a portion of sales tax revenue to fund much-needed water projects.

Roughly 20% of TXDOT funding already comes from state allocations, which is why we see constant road construction across the region. It’s time the state invests the same way in water. Without water, all those new roads won’t lead anywhere.

As a water ratepayer, property taxpayer, and elected official responsible for funding local priorities, I find it frustrating that the state continues to promote growth without addressing the burden that puts on rural communities. Roughly 1,500 people move to Texas every day. The responsibility of providing services and water for those new residents falls on the people already here.

Property taxes aren’t the answer. If we want lower property taxes, the state needs to return more of our sales tax dollars to fund local infrastructure priorities.

Investing in the Future

We are working on projections for the economic impact of Turkey Peak on our region, and the results are expected to be significant. Funding for local water projects is an investment in the economic health of the entire state. The reservoir will serve communities from Santo to North Rural, across Millsap, and even into Brock — a growing area of Texas that needs reliable water infrastructure.

No, I don’t want more traffic either — but as we used to say when playing hide-and-seek, “Ready or not, here they come.”

As a locally elected official, I’ll continue working to find resources that reduce the burden on ratepayers. Is it guaranteed? No. Is it possible? Yes. Proposition 4 is the first real chance to make Turkey Peak a reality and ease the cost for local families.

That money is going somewhere. Why not water? Why not Turkey Peak? If you want to call it a slush fund, fine — I want our ratepayers to have the first slushie.

Stay Crazy for Mineral Wells!

Mayor Regan Wallace

mayor@mineralwellstx.gov

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