{"id":554,"date":"2026-02-23T19:13:08","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T01:13:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.apacheshorespoa.org\/?page_id=554"},"modified":"2026-03-24T09:17:33","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T14:17:33","slug":"water","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.apacheshorespoa.org\/es\/resources\/under-review\/water\/","title":{"rendered":"ASPOA Water"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This page is informational in nature and does not represent a final decision<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apache Shores Water Petition \u2013 What\u2019s Going On<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Why you\u2019re seeing this<\/strong>
The ASPOA Board of Directors remains neutral on the WCID 17 matter and believes this is an individual decision for each property owner. They see their role as supporting respectful dialogue and helping ensure community members have access to balanced information shared by their neighbors and committees on all sides. [From Community email 2-27-26]<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is a petition that lets property owners say \u201cyes\u201d to Apache Shores formally joining the local water district, WCID17. You can now sign it without attending a meeting<\/strong> \u2014 just print it out, fill it in, and mail it or drop it off. If you need help, email aspoawater@gmail.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Background: How We Got Here<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  • In 1997, Apache Shores Utility company<\/em> was failing to meet safety and quality standards for its water, and was taken over by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • The ASPOA asked WCID17<\/strong> to take over operations instead of the old company.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • However, Apache Shores chose not to officially join the WCID17 water district<\/em> at that time.
    \u27a4 This meant the community avoided water district taxes<\/strong> \u2014 but also kept responsibility for maintaining and replacing aging water lines.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Current Situation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
      \n
    • The system has 46 water lines that are old, undersized, or need replacement<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Estimated total cost for replacing those lines is about $73 million (plus financing costs)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • You\u2019ve been paying an \u201cOut-of-District Fee\u201d (ODF) for maintenance and repairs \u2014 roughly $1.85 million has been collected since 2011<\/strong>, used for smaller localized fixes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Your Funding Choices Going Forward<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Option 1: Keep Paying the Out-of-District Fee<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
        \n
      • The ODF stays in place and grows until there\u2019s enough money to replace all failing lines.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Under current projections, this fee could rise to over $300 per month ($3,600\/year)<\/strong> by 2027.
        This fee stays in effect long-term<\/em> because it\u2019s how replacement and future upkeep would be funded.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        Pros of this option<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        • That\u2019s a lot of monthly cost for residents.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \n
          • You keep the status quo, no district taxes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

            Option 2: Join WCID17 as a \u201cDefined Area\u201d<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

            If Apache Shores joins the district:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              \n
            • The Out-of-District Fee goes away.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Replacement work would be paid for through district bonds<\/strong> and funded via property taxes<\/strong> tied to that bond.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • You\u2019d also pay the district\u2019s regular yearly operations and maintenance tax.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

              Pros of this option<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                \n
              • You get representation<\/em> on the district board.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • The water line replacement could be completed in ~10 years<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Most property owners would likely pay less overall<\/em> compared with a $300 monthly fee.<\/strong> For many homes, the annual tax cost is projected to be lower than the yearly ODF.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  \n
                • Your property tax burden goes up.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Taxes will continue until the bonds are paid off. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                  Option 3: Protest and continue to seek alternatives options<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                  Bottom Line<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
                    \n
                  • If Apache Shores doesn\u2019t join the water district:<\/strong> You face steep, long-term increases in monthly fees (possibly ~$300\/month in 2027).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • If you do join the water district:<\/strong> Funding shifts to property taxes. Many owners are projected to pay less overall each year<\/strong> and get the waterlines replaced sooner with district oversight.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                    Practical Summary<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                    This petition lets you voice support for Apache Shores joining WCID17. The goal is to reduce long-term out-of-pocket water costs and get major infrastructure upgrades funded more efficiently through the district. The petition doesn\u2019t force<\/em> action \u2014 it triggers a process to have the decision reviewed and potentially move forward with joining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    Would rising property values shorten the bond repayment period?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      \n
                    • No. Debt service tax rates are adjusted annually to collect only what is required to make bond payments. When bonds are fully repaid, the debt service tax must end.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                      \n\n\n\n

                      Key Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                      Source: Q&A taken from ASPOA’s Water Town Hall meeting, Jason of WCID17 presention, February 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      Does joining transfer financial responsibility?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                      If Apache Shores joins the District, long-term responsibility for future line replacement would shift to WCID17. If Apache Shores does not join, future upkeep and replacement would continue to be funded through the ODF or similar fee structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      Will the District pursue grants?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                      The District reviews and applies for grants when eligible and has stated it would continue doing so regardless of whether Apache Shores joins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      Would rents increase?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                      Property tax increases may affect rents if landlords pass along costs. Under the ODF structure, renters may see increases directly through water bills if the fee rises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      If we join the District our property AV will go up each year,  so wouldn\u2019t that mean the bonds could be paid off faster? <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                      No, as AV increases, the tax rate will actually fall over time.  Each year the District has a Tax advisor who reviews our outstanding  bond balance and the associated tax rate. They then recommend to the Board of Directors a tax rate that will ensure enough money is  collected to make the annual payment on that bond. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      With property AV going up each year, the District will never get rid of this tax, they want to use us as a piggy bank.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                      False. The tax rate that will be repaying the bonds to replace these waterlines are by law, debt service taxes. That means the District can only collect the amount needed to make the required annual payment on the bond. Once the bond is repaid, the tax rate is required by law to go away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      There is a financial benefit to the District because Apache would be bringing in a large property and we will fix their infrastructure at no cost to them. <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                      Incorrect. The Financial responsibility to pay for these lines is solely that of Apache  Shores. There is no financial gain to the District outside of the $0.0560 per $100AV that would be paid as the District\u2019s Operations & Maintenance Tax. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      These monies would go towards paying for all future water line work in Apache Shores while also replacing the ODF, which would go away if Apache Shores join the District. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      This is a major point \u2013 The District will take on the financial responsibility to replace these lines the next time they require replacement if you join the District. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      This project represents a large financial burden to WCID17. In order to support this many projects we will have to hire additional personnel. Managing these bonds and their associated tax rates will also require additional staff time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      The District will bear these additional costs. So in fact this project will have the opposite effect as it will take time and money away from our other customers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      You are only trying to get us to join the District to make money off us. <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                      This couldn\u2019t be further from the truth. Asking Apache Shores to join the District is a time consuming and expensive proposition. It would be easier to simply set an ODF rate at a level that raises the necessary funds and conduct the work with or without Apache Shores input. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      But having you in District where you can take advantage of being District residents and have a choice in the long-term direction of the District is most beneficial for property owners. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      Over 70% of Apache Shores property owners and residents will save money every year by joining the District. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      Joining the District may stop exploration of other options.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                      False. Nor is there any evidence to support this belief. Just recently the District obtained a $100,000 grant from the LCRA for an upcoming wastewater project in one of our service areas. Every year we review our upcoming projects and assess what funding paths are available to them. We review and apply for all possible grants that we qualify for. We will do the same for the Apache Shores area regardless of if you join the District or not. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      Joining the District may result in increased rent payments. <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                      Misleading. It is true that some landlords will pass along increased  property taxes in their rents, but renters will see a $300 increase in their water bill if Apache Shores does not join the District.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      Joining the District will hurt seniors on a fixed budget. <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                      This is misleading. While taxes would go up for all residents, by not joining, 70% of residents will pay more by not joining the District. Unfortunately there is no scenario where a perfect solution exists that will not negatively impact some residents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      WCID17 is proposing the solution that we believe provides the most reasonable solution to the problem at hand, while simultaneously causing the least amount of negative impact to the residents of the area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      Joining the District would result in millions of dollars of debt and incur large amounts of interest on that debt which would require repayment through additional taxes on all property in Apache Shores. <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                      False. The millions of dollars in debt already exists. The question is how we will choose to fund it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      1. Via an Out of District fee<\/strong>: which will cost more for 70% of property owners and residents. By not joining the District this fee would continue long-term even after this initial work is completed so that funding exists for the upkeep and future replacement of all lines in Apache Shores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      Or\u2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      2. Via a Defined Area Tax Rate:<\/strong> which is capped by law, and which would ensure that 70% of Apache residents pay the least amount possible to execute the work while avoiding future upkeep costs. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                      This page is informational in nature and does not represent a final decision Apache Shores Water Petition \u2013 What\u2019s Going On Why you\u2019re seeing thisThe ASPOA Board of Directors remains neutral on the WCID 17 matter and believes this is an individual decision for each property owner. They see their role as supporting respectful dialogue […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":721,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-554","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.apacheshorespoa.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/554","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.apacheshorespoa.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.apacheshorespoa.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.apacheshorespoa.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.apacheshorespoa.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=554"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.apacheshorespoa.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/554\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1531,"href":"https:\/\/www.apacheshorespoa.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/554\/revisions\/1531"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.apacheshorespoa.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/721"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.apacheshorespoa.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=554"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}