On the one hand, the Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District asked the voters to approve a 1/2-cent tax rate increase. I voted for the CCGCD tax increase but a majority of Kendall County taxpayers said no. When it came to a request for more money, CCGCD did the right thing – they asked. 

On the other hand, Boerne’s City Council did not put the Development Agreement between the City of Boerne and Marlin-Atlantis Boerne Partners LP on the May 10 ballot. I would definitely have voted no. Doesn’t matter – I wasn’t asked.

Will Boerne taxpayers be asked if they favor spending $90 million on a new wastewater treatment plant – or any legitimate option for that matter?  

According to Boerne’s City Charter, “…the City Council shall act as the board of directors of all utilities owned and operated by the City.”  If the past indicates the future, the old/new City Council, acting as the public utilities directors, can be expected to return at least a 3-2 vote favoring the $90 million capital expenditure, again, without asking.

The cost of the Esperanza deal is already being felt in the form of increased utility rates (a healthy portion of which can be attributed to the Esperanza wastewater component.)  If the WWTP is built on the newly acquired site, it is being felt to the tune of $1.5 million – no fraction of which is being paid for by MA Boerne Partners LP – the reassurances of Boerne’s administrative staff promising “no cost to Boerne taxpayers” notwithstanding.

On the one hand, the CCGDC put it out there and took its hit – so, back to the drawing board. 

On the other hand, the voters of Boerne took their hit (and it’s a big one compared to the one CCGCD was requesting).  And, there is no going back to the drawing board – not for the Development Agreement and not for the $90 million Wastewater Treatment Plant.

“No taxation without representation!”  Hats off to you, Cow Creek, for asking.

Daniel Ochoa

Boerne