Harris-Galveston Subsidence District
Harris-Galveston Subsidence District
1660 West Bay Area Boulevard
Friendswood, TX 77546-2640
Contact: Ron Neighbors
Phone: (281) 486-7118 Fax: (281) 486-7118
Email: Rneighbors@subsidence.org
Updated as of: 7/13/2009
LEGAL AUTHORITY FOR CREATION AND OPERATION(State)
Chapter 151 of the Texas Water Code. Special District Local Laws Code.
Title 6. Water and Wastewater. Subtitle H. Districts Governing Groundwater. Chapter 8801. HARRIS-GALVESTON SUBSIDENCE DISTRICT
GENERAL POWER AND DUTIES
The Harris-Galveston Subsidence District is a special purpose district created by the Texas Legislature in 1975. The District was created to provide for the regulation of groundwater withdrawal throughout Harris and Galveston counties for the purpose of preventing land subsidence, which leads to increased flooding. The District’s enabling legislation is found in Chapter 8801 of the Special Districts Code.
MEETING TIME AND LOCATION
The District Board of Directors meets on the 2nd Wednesday of each month to consider the issuance of water well permits and to take care of other District business; at 10 a.m., which is held at the District Office, 1660 West Bay Area Boulevard in Friendswood.
COMPOSITION
The District is governed by a Board composed of nineteen directors appointed as provided by Texas Special District Local Laws Code Sec. 8801.051. Directors must residents and qualified voters within the District. The Positions are to be numbered, appointed, and filled as follows:
Positions 1 through 6. Are filled by the Mayor of Houston’s appointees. One of these Directors must be a representative of industry.
Positions 7 through 19. Are filled by appointees selected by other local governments (smaller cities in the District and the Commissioner's Courts of Harris and Galveston Counties).
COMPENSATION:
a. A director is entitled to fees of office of not more than $150.00 a day for each day the director actually spends performing the duties of a Director. The fees of office may not exceed $9,000 a year.
b. Each director is entitled to reimbursement of actual expenses reasonably and necessarily incurred while engaging in activities on behalf of the District.
c. To receive fees of office and reimbursement for expenses, each director must file with the District a verified statement that shows the number of days spent in the service of the District and a general description of the duties performed for each day of service.
QUORUM: A majority of the membership of the Board constitutes a quorum for any meeting, and a concurrence of a majority of the entire membership of the Board is sufficient for transacting any District business.
TERM: Directors serve for two-year, staggered terms.
CHAIRPERSON: Each year, at the first meeting after the new directors take office, the directors shall select from among the directors a chairperson, a vice chairperson, and a secretary.
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY
Entity is NOT included in the financial reporting for the City of Houston. Required to take an Ethics Course.
MEMBER LIST