On January 20, 2023, I opened my monthly statement to see a blurb, “IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RUN FOR A POSITION ON THE RCH BOD GO TO RCHWATER.COM” [see Figure 1]. Naturally, I have been checking regularly the website for any updates, but there was no significant changes since the announcement of the board meeting. It’s like they don’t want customers to really know about this position.

[FIGURE 1] RCH Water supply February Billing Statement delivered on January 20, 2023

If you are new to my blog, welcome and thank you for reading to be informed and how you can be part of the solution to have a quality water service. Things are slowly moving for those on the RCH WSC WATCH as you can see some activity is starting to happen on their end. Visit the Politics category in the menu to read all my local Rockwall County political articles and if you would like to receive notifications on latest updates click yes to subscribe.

At the January 4 RCH WSC Board Meeting after the executive session it was indicated by Board Director Steve Hatfield, “The RCH WS Board decided their first step to be done is to host a members election to decide on whether they would like to sell. They are contacting a couple of different companies that normally do this to conduct the election.”

It was also mentioned that the Annual Meeting to be set for March 29, 2023. Information will start going out in the February billing statement. Also ONE director position will be listed on the ballot.

There has been no response and action requests from TxDOT To Relocate RCH WSC Water Lines

[FIGURE 2] TxDOT Relocation of Water Lines has not been announced for solicitation of bids.

This is in addition to taking counsel from their not present attorney Art Rodriguez in executive session to solicit for additional engineer bids for relocation of water lines on S Hwy 205. Five months ago, RCH WSC received a proposal from Eddy Daniel their engineer for a new contract and to be paid upfront $500K. Keep in mind there has been ZERO solicitation on the RCH WSC website that gives any indication that they are genuinely looking for bids [View FIGURE 2].

Do you honestly believe that an engineering firm is going to come to RCH WSC in less than a few weeks to offer a bid? Keep in mind the field goal date of DECEMBER 1, 2023 is NOT CHANGING despite the fact that RCH WSC was officially notified by TxDOT in December 2020. Meanwhile, the rest of the utilities for the last TWO YEARS have been working with the TXDOT Coordinator Walter Caraig on monthly updates in meeting their deadlines. [View FIGURE 3]

RCH WSC wants you to really dig for this information

So where is this information located on the website? Well, friends you have to drill down the menu to FORMS & REPORTS for the relevant documents linked title “Board of Directors Application 2023“. The directions have been updated to include January 31, 2023, but no mention of a director position number. Eleven days to obtain twenty members to sign the petition and delivered to the corporation’s main office for the applicant’s name to be placed on the ballot. [VIEW FIGURE 4]

[FIGURE] 4 Application for Board of Director’s Position of the RCH WATER SUPPLY CORPORATION

Why is RCH WSC talking about a board director position?

Speculation is brewing that RCH WSC Board Directors really are not interested in moving forward in taking actions to amicably transfer all assets and customers to the City of McLendon-Chisholm. The fact that they have placed this wording alone is highly suspect in addition to not disclosing information to the members the annual meeting date of March 29, 2023 nor indicating how many director places available or whom is up for election. The majority of the board has been on there for YEARS!!! Has anyone seen RCH WSC President Jackie Pullen‘s place up for election or Vice-President Warren Hodges or Director Lowell English at previous annual meetings? Seriously it just appears there is no redress for members of RCH WSC to vote them out.

According to the 2009 bylaws Article IX it states clearly annually at the first Tuesday in January, the Board of directors shall elect a President, Vice-President, and Secretary-Treasurer. And no that did NOT happen in January 2023. There seems to be no sense of urgency of managing some appropriate administration that very much needs to be put forth into motion with looming road project deadlines and interlocal agreements that are waiting essentially for the CCN holder transfer. Those on the RCH WSC Watch back in July actively participated in obtaining member signatures for several candidates and sent certified letters that we wanted an election–with new board directors.

It’s remotely possible that RCH WSC will surprise customers by posting on their website the annual meeting date with a list of candidates, as well as, the asset transfer resolution item, disclose the election process and present a third party audited financial report before February 27, 2023.

It’s not like the election information came out of no where.

RCH WSC Board President Jackie Pullen and another Board Vice-President Warren Hodges attended the August 9, 2022 McLendon-Chisholm City Council Meeting acknowledging about their intent of hosting an election/annual meeting January 2023. It’s been a consistent delay after another that they could have opted out to vote as a board to dissolve and motion to transfer assets to the municipality. BUT NO the RCH WSC Board expressed at the December 7, 2022 Board Meeting they want to hear from the members that they support such a transfer and the Board emphasized they were taking the consultation by the McLendon-Chisholm City’s Water Attorney listed in the original asset transfer agreement offered in September 2022.

[SEE FIGURE 3] TxDOT S Hwy 205 Project that is expecting ALL utilities to complete their relocations by December 1, 2023. Read the HIGHLIGHTS.

Rockwall County Planning Consortium Report for January 2023

[FIGURE 3] January 2023 Rockwall County Road Consortium Report | Page 8

4 Seats on the McLendon-Chisholm City Council Coming Up

It is anticipated that four seats on the McLendon-Chisholm City Council are up for election during the May 6 municipal election, and for one position Place 4 will be to complete the remaining time of office. The City Council intends to call for the election as part of its regular meeting on Tuesday, January 24, 2023.

Normally on the odd years places 1, 3 and 5 will be on the ballot. Council Member Lorna Kipphut Place 1 is not seeking for re-election. At the January 10, 2023 City Council Meeting the council accepted a resignation letter by Council Member Dyon Purdy Place 4.

The filing period for candidates to begin declaring for the election is scheduled to begin Wednesday, January 18 and run through February 17, 2023. To get started please inquire about a City Council Member packet with the City Secretary at City Hall.

Early voting for the election is scheduled April 24-28, 2023.

As a RCH WSC customer what can you do?

Consider filling out the RCH WSC Board of Director application OR be available to provide a signature to show support for the applicant who will need to meet the requirement of 20 member signatures. If you need signatures reach out to me so that I may host a Petition Drive on Saturday, January 28, 2023 at the City Hall.

Secondly, consider emailing or speaking at public comments to the McLendon-Chisholm City Council meeting on Tuesday, January 24 at 6:30pm.

I would love to hear what your thoughts about any of these issues. Do you believe that the City Council should express more of an urgency to pursue the administrative process with the Public Utility Commission for our CURRENT CCN?

Should obtaining better water management be a TOP PRIORITY for the municipality administration? Are you concerned with a potential public safety issue that may arise from inadequate supply during the peak months for our current residential community and livestock? Is it concerning to you that TxDOT has been waiting for action regarding the relocation of the water lines for S HWY 205 widening project since December 2020 and that RCH WSC is the only utility that has not responded? Would you like to receive certainty of actions being taken by the City Administration? [View McLendon-Chisholm City Council Agenda]

As always thank you for reading and I do hope to hear some feedback.