The Decatur City Council approved contributing its portion to start up the West Fork Public Utility Agency (WFPUA) Monday night.
The city is contributing $40,345 toward the regional entity formed to address long-term water and wastewater infrastructure needs on a countywide scale.
The initial funding, pulled from the city’s water and wastewater fund, will help cover legal, engineering and administrative services, according to the interlocal agreement.
Participating entities have scheduled hearings to approve concurrent ordinances establishing the agency, which would allow cities to partner on large-scale projects. Participants include Wise County; the cities of Alvord, Aurora, Boyd, Bridgeport, Decatur, Newark, New Fairview, Paradise and Rhome; along with the Walnut Creek Special Utility District, West Wise Special Utility District, New Fairview Municipal Utility District No. 1 and Rolling V Ranch Water Control and Improvement District No. 3.
The Decatur council received the first reading of its ordinance to create the PUA Monday night and unanimously approved the funding portion of the effort. Per the agreement, the City of New Fairview will serve as the temporary fiscal agent, holding and managing entity contributions until the WFPUA is operational.
“Decatur’s water supply is very strong,” Decatur City Manager Nate Mara said. “Currently, we have a 4,000-acre-foot allotment on Bridgeport, and we’re using less than half of that amount on a rolling annual basis. Still, I don’t want the City of Decatur to look back in 10, 15 or 20 years and realize we didn’t have say in where our next source of water comes from.”
Mayor Mike McQuiston and council members Melinda Reeves and Eddie Allen also echoed those sentiments, applauding the proactive effort.
The WFPUA board will include one representative from each participating city, SUD and MUD, with two board members appointed by Wise County.
The startup cost split was developed using a formula based on land mass and population. A breakdown of those contributions was included in the city’s meeting packet.
CITY OF DECATUR AGENDA PACKET EXHIBIT
The proposed WFPUA would not be a taxing entity. It would have the authority to issue bonds for capital improvements, which would be repaid through sales.
It mirrors the framework of the previously proposed Wise Regional Water District (WRWD) but avoids the requirement of legislative approval. The West Travis County Public Utility Agency — which serves western Travis and northern Hays counties — is one example of an existing PUA in Texas that owns and operates a water and wastewater system.
Unlike the failed WRWD, the West Fork PUA would not carry eminent domain authority. However, individual member cities do — an important distinction when considering land acquisition for a potential water pipeline.
In other longterm infrastructure planning business, the Decatur council also approved a resolution authorizing the city to publish its intent to issue up to $32.5 million in certificates of obligation. Those funds would help cover water and wastewater infrastructure projects and public safety improvements — including the construction of Decatur Fire Station No. 2.
Last month, Mara anticipated the annual payment on the tax notes at about $2.2 million, with its first payment occurring in 2027.
The action item authorized the city to publish legal notices to regarding the issuance beginning no later than October. 23. It was approved 6-0, with council member Darlene Hilton voting virtually. Council member Jake Hayes was absent.
Final approval for the ordinance authorizing the debt issuance is expected on Dec. 8, 2025.
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