| WHAT IS PGMUD? The
Pecan Grove Municipal Utility District (PGMUD)
was created in 1975 to provide water, sewer,
and drainage services to Pecan Grove. Over
the years through the annexation process,
Plantation Place and Pecan Lakes became a
part of the District.
PGMUD is the largest MUD in Fort Bend
County and one of the largest MUDs in the
entire state of Texas. Its population and
tax base make it larger than the City of
Richmond. The District contains five
different homeowner associations and is
split between two school districts. The
District is so large that its residents are
divided between two different County
Commissioner precincts and four different
county voting precincts.
While municipal utility districts (MUDs)
function much like a business, they are
actually a “political subdivision.”
Political subdivisions are government
entities created under the Texas statutes.
MUD directors are elected by registered
voters who live within the district
boundaries. The District’s status as a
government body allows it to levy property
taxes to build and maintain water, sewer and
drainage services. Residents also pay a
monthly fee for the services provided by the
District.
State law currently allows MUDs to only
use their operating revenue to own and
operate recreational facilities. (See
Aquatic Center Update on page 3.) State law
also allows MUDs to enforce deed
restrictions, provide security service, and,
with voter approval, operate a fire
protection plan.
As a government entity, MUDs must follow
Open Meeting and Open Record Act
requirements. Further, they are only allowed
to hold elections for the purpose of
electing directors or for bond issues.
Unlike city governments, MUDs currently are
not allowed to hold general referendum
elections. MUDs also have to follow
competitive bidding requirements, as do
other government entities.
More information on MUDs can be found at
the website for the Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
www.tceq.state.tx.us. This agency
was formerly known as the Texas Natural
Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC). |
