Notice is hereby given that the City of Wake Village, Texas, will Consider the adoption of a Resolution to create the Wright Patman Regional Water Supply Agency, a "Public Utility Agency" to be created Pursuant to Texas Local Government Code Chapter 422. Such Resolution is a Concurrent Ordinance (Resolution), as that term is defined in Texas Local Government Code Chapter 422, and will be considered by the City Council of the City of Wake Village, Texas, at the following date, time, and location:

Date: February 5, 2004
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Wake Village City Hall, 624 Burma Road, Wake Village, Texas 75501

The Wright Patman Regional Water Supply Agency will be created as of the Effective Date of the Concurrent Resolution.
Issued this 16th day of January, 2004.

The City of Wake Village will hold a second public hearing at 6:30 p.m. on January 26, 2004, at the Wake Village City hall, 624 Burma Road, in regard to the submission of an application to the Office of Rural Community Affairs for a Texas Community Development Program (TCOP) grant. Topics to be discussed will include the application for the installation of new water, sewer, streets, and utilities system improvements for the Wake Forest Subdivision in the amount of $400,000; and the estimated amount of funds proposed for activities that will benefit low and moderate-income persons. The application will be available for review at the accessible to persons with disabilities [sic]. Individuals who require auxiliary aids or services for this meeting should contact City Hall at least two days before the meeting so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Sometimes the biggest plans -- or surprises -- get revealed in the smallest print.

Funny how that works.

Less than two weeks ago, a legal notice appeared in the Classified section announcing that Wake Village would vote at this Thursday's meeting on a resolution to create a "water supply agency", the equivalent of a public utility. Potentially this could become a multimilllion dollar operation with wide ranging powers. As such, you'd think there'd be a little more advance notice on something so significant.

At the same time this vote is taken, (6 p.m.), six other towns in the region will vote on similar resolutions to join this agency. Those towns are new Boston, Hooks, De Kalb, Maud, Avery and Annona. They have all given notice. If the city councils of any two of these towns approve this resolution, the Wright Patman Regional Water Supply Agency will be born. It will include any of the seven towns that pass the resolution. Note: The title is not Lake Wright Patman. The agency will have much broader authority to buy and sell water, or handle wastewater.

Note: The public will have no voice in this matter.

Currently, all these towns are part of the water group that serves greater Texarkana. It is no secret that there is no love lost between T-town and the seven cities. A lawsuit filed by the group claims they have been overcharged for water for years. Forming this agency will give the participating cities the autonomy to chart their own course. But it does a lot more, as well.

That's what scares some citizens, particularly those who have fought to keep the Marvin Nichols Reservoir from being built in this region. The resolution allows for much more than just creating a water system to serve the cities involved. There is nothing that prevents this agency from seeking water from many sources. There is nothing that prevents this agency from selling excess water it might acquire. There is nothing that guarantees the water it develops is any less expensive than the water these cities are already buying.

The resolution gives the agency the power to "investigate, negotiate, and obtain permits and/or contract for water resources in the State of Texas, or with any state, and Indian Nation or Tribe and/or any entity lawfully created, for the acquisition and transportation of water supplies to meet the existing or future needs of the Agency and its Members."

Wonder what those future needs might be? Wonder what needs the agency might have apart from the members? The resolution also allows for projects to be oversized.

The mayor of Wake Village, Mike Huddleston, ran the Sulphur River Basin Authority for many years. He has been a vocal supporter of building Marvin Nichols Reservoir in this part of Northeast Texas. The immediate purpose may be to create a water source that serves these cities better. But that doesn't mean other possibilities couldn't manifest themselves in time.

Funny how things change.

Here's some other things to think about:

* The only way citizens of these cities can get these resolutions put to a public vote is if 10 percent of registered voters petition to do that by Wednesday. Fat chance.

* There have not been any public hearings on forming this agency. There doesn't have to be. The public has no voice in the matter other than the one listed above.

* City councils will vote on whether to join or not join. That's it.

* After the agency is formed, it is the mayors and only the mayors who will name the directors. The director can serve as many terms as a particular mayor wants. The mayors make all future appointments. The mayors have all the controls. The city councils have none.

* This agency would also have the power of eminent domain. It could acquire land and property as necessary.

* For most matters before the agency, one director/one vote is the rule. However, when it comes to matters of authorizing capital outlays, the vote is weighted. Each director gets additional votes depending on the amount of water being supplied to his community. The more consumption, the more votes, with some limits. Presumably such votes would be weighted in favor of Wake Village and New Boston.

Funny how that works. Got a crystal ball?

This may be just a group of towns looking out for themselves. There may not be any broader agenda. But if you look at what is allowed by the language of the resolution, the implications to greater Texarkana and the region could be immense. As much bickering and maneuvering is [already] going on concerning water in this part of the state, adding another player changes the dynamics of the game. How much so remains to be seen.

It would be nice if the motives on this venture were more transparent. It would be nice if there were ways to provide broader oversight and direction once this agency is formed. But the resolution does not seek that level of interaction. Few public utilities do.

Funny how that works.

We're all pretty much at the mercy of whatever water system we're under. About all we can do is grumble a little when we pay our bill. We only hope somebody is looking out for our interests.

That's why how this is being quickly and quietly pushed through is so bothersome.

So much depends on public trust, so little on public input.

That's a hard mix to swallow.