Real Leadership for Anderson Mill

STUCK IN THE “MUD” Is This the Leadership Anderson Mill Wants? The MUD Board spun its wheels this year in a no-win (legally and contractually) annexation fight.  Rather, the MUD board should have focused during this annexation transition period on getting the best deals from the City for Anderson Mill. Instead, the MUD board wasted time and money: 1)    Annexation can only be held off once under the SPA.   The law is clear.  A strategic partnership agreement can only be extended once in order to postpone annexation.  The SPA was extended in 2004.  Despite this outright fact, the MUD board asked the City in March for an extension of the SPA.      2)    A deal is a deal, except to the MUD Board. On March 20th, the day the City Council approved the annexation service plan for Anderson Mill, MUD Board President (and incumbent candidate) John Kiracofe stood before the city council on March 20th and stated:  “I think the biggest issue that we have right now, one that did kind of catch us by surprise was when the city notified the residents that effective June 1st, they were going to start billing for the water.  We were planning for this later on in the year.  This affects our budget, our revenue for the remainder of the year.  We operate on a fiscal year, the same as the City of Austin and our fiscal year ends September 30th.”      The City responded: “This is something that we agreed to back in 2004.”  The City is correct.  The SPA is very clear about the time frames for the transfers to the City.  The MUD Board itself agreed to these deadlines in 2004. 3)    The Attorney General’s Office had to tell the MUD board to cooperate.   The City will be assuming the MUD’s water/wastewater assets in May and will begin billing this July.  In January, the city requested from the MUD board the customer billing information.  The MUD board countered that it would not provide the information until June as specified in the SPA.  The City then filed an open records request.  The MUD board refused again for the same reason.  After the attorney general’s office got involved, the MUD finally complied with the city’s request. Anderson Mill deserves better leadership. Nelson, Farley and Elleson: Innovative and Proactive Nelson, Farley and Elleson will continue taking steps to move Anderson Mill forward. For example:  1)    Calling a referendum to find out exactly how residents want the $10 million surplus fund used ranging from rebates to a capital project to a limited district. 2)    Developing immediately a limited district budget to determine exactly what it will cost you in taxes. 3)     Reducing staff size to reduce costs in a limited district budget.  In 2006-07, MUD employee salaries and benefits made up 23% of the MUD budget.  The salary budget alone has increased 66% since 1998.  Currently, four positions are paid over $50,000, three positions over $80,000, and one over $100,000.  The MUD also contributes a generous 10% of an employee’s salary into a retirement plan ($88,244 in 2007).   No matching is required. It has been said that some employees will leave after the city takes over the water/wastewater.  However, the Strategic Partnership Agreement states “the District employees shall continue as employees of the Limited District,” and the MUD board has not officially determined the status of current MUD employees. 4)    Determining and finalizing the question of the legality of the collection of surplus tax for the surplus fund. 5)    Submitting proposed projects to the City for the $10 million should the City acquire the money.  Through the efforts of Steve Nelson and Elizabeth Elleson, the city council voted unanimously to use the money for capital improvement projects IN Anderson Mill.  6)    Establishing a City of Austin police substation at the MUD-owned building on Millwright Parkway.  It cost the MUD $86,080 last year to hire off-duty patrol officers.  With a police substation, a strong visible police presence is created and jurisdictional problems with the sheriff’s office are eliminated. 7)    Eliminating or reducing MUD board director positions and fees.  Presently, MUD board members can each receive up to $2400 annually as director fees and have been reimbursed for other expenses, like trips to South Padre Island for conferences.  8)    Reducing attorney’s fees.  Over the years, legal fees have ranged from over $113,000 to $17,000 annually.  Fees in fiscal year 2007 were over $32,000. 9)    Revamping deed restriction enforcement and determining how to maximize city code enforcement and deed restriction enforcement.  The 2008 contract for deed restriction enforcement is almost $15,000.    10)    Reducing trash service collection costs by working to establish a City/MUD interlocal agreement for trash collection.  Trash service today costs Anderson Mill $480,000 annually and is expected to increase 15% at the end of the year.  The MUD now subsidizes residential service by paying $3.00 per house.  11)    Working with the City on a detailed plan for the city’s maintenance of our parks and pools.  The MUD hires contractors to mow parks and the trails.  The 2008 budget is at $171,500. 12)    Developing a joint-venture project with either the City or the RRISD on the use of the fire station building on Hymeadow.  (When on the RRISD board and again last October, Elizabeth Elleson promoted this idea with RRISD.) 13)    Developing a joint-venture project with the City on the use of the MUD administration building.  Steve Nelson and Elizabeth Elleson discussed with council the possibility of converting the building into a branch library or a community recreation center or a senior center.