In this issue’s Q&A, Texas+Water Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Todd Votteler, interviews Rick Ellis, Executive Director of the Association of Water Board Directors – Texas (AWBD).
Rick Ellis serves as Executive Director of the Association of Water Board Directors-Texas (AWBD) where he is tasked with leading the organization that provides educational and advocacy support for water districts throughout the state of Texas.
Prior to AWBD, Ellis served as the Vice President of the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce and Vice President of the Katy Area Economic Development Council.
Rick previously served 3 ½ years as an At-Large Trustee and Secretary on the AWBD Board of Trustees and is a 19-year Director on the Interstate MUD Board of Directors where he currently serves as President.
Ellis is a proud graduate of Texas A&M University, earning degrees in Construction Management and Real Estate Development, and is the father of Class of 2024 and Class of 2026 Aggie daughters.
What is the AWBD?
AWBD is a membership-based, non-profit that provides educational and advocacy resources to water districts throughout the state. Formed in 1975 in response to the explosive growth of utility districts in Texas, AWBD recognized the need for directors of these districts to have an organization dedicated to their interests, concerns, and issues. AWBD presents conferences, seminars, webinars, workshops, and other educational offerings to help educate professionals in the Texas water industry. AWBD currently boasts a membership of over 1,050 districts, consultants, and exhibitors, and is open for business to all who want to learn about the water district world of Texas.
What is the mission of the AWBD?
The Association of Water Board Directors – Texas (AWBD) is dedicated to the betterment of Texas water district operation and management through education, unification, and advocacy.
How many Texas water boards are members of AWBD?
Of the roughly 2,000+ water districts in Texas, over 750 of them are members of AWBD. AWBD is also the membership home to over 300 consultants, vendors, and exhibitors who are engaged in the Texas water industry.
What type of services does AWBD provide its members?
As noted previously, AWBD places great emphasis on education and advocacy. The Association hosts two statewide conferences each year, one in midwinter and one in the summer, where we welcome between 1,600 – 2,200 delegates and their guests, respectively. These conferences provide our members with information to help them progress in their director roles by presenting information on the latest technologies and standard operating procedures along with legal and ethical rules and regulations. These conferences provide an excellent vehicle for our members to see familiar faces, make new friends, network, mingle, have a good time, and, most importantly, learn a lot. In addition to these conferences, AWBD offers spring and fall seminars, again, based on educational topics relevant to the Texas water industry. AWBD also hosts Directors 101 and 201 – primers for new and soon-to-be seasoned directors who want to learn more about serving as directors on district boards and how to navigate themselves in the water district world.
AWBD also hosts monthly webinars devoted to parks and recreational amenities some water districts have in their jurisdictions; we also present a quarterly series of webinars on an array of industry topics that are near and dear to district operations.
Still under the education umbrella, AWBD distributes bi-monthly electronic newsletters highlighting goings on in the water arena and also publishes our quarterly Journal magazine containing extensive articles and stories and updates of concern and interest to water board directors and affiliates.
https://awbd.org/learn/news-journal/
Advocacy is another primary pillar of AWBD, especially during legislative years when a number of bills are filed that directly affect the water industry – either positively or negatively. AWBD has an outstanding team of legal volunteers in Austin who identify, track, monitor, and negotiate legislation that is relevant to Texas water districts.
Does the AWBD have any specific goals during the current session of the Texas Legislature?
AWBD supports policies that promote the availability and affordability of housing to support the growing Texas economy. Water districts support Texas’ growth by providing high-quality water, sewer, drainage, road, and park infrastructure. Water districts serve millions of Texans with water and sewer service, and all in all, water districts support the American Dream and the Texas Miracle.
AWBD supports:
- The continued authority of the TCEQ to create new water districts in a timely and efficient manner without frivolous protests.
- Expanded options to conduct meetings of boards of directors by teleconference and videoconference to enhance public participation in meetings.
- Protecting the right to create a water district within the jurisdiction of a city or county.
- Ensuring that water districts may participate in regional water systems without discrimination.
- Municipal and county regulations on utilities and development that are fair, not unduly burdensome, timely and not detrimental to the affordability of housing.
https://awbd.org/learn/laws-regulations/
Ultimately, this 89th Legislative Session has been deemed a “water session”, and rightfully so. Water is the most precious resource we have, and one that we must embrace, nurture, and protect at all costs.
What do you consider to the AWBD’s most significant accomplishments?
Turning 50! Yep, AWBD is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year! 50 years of teaching, mentoring, influencing, and guiding districts, directors, and consultants into making our industry as powerful as it can be.
What do you consider to be the biggest challenge facing Texas over the next 20 years regarding water?
The two biggest water-related challenges facing Texas over the next few decades are the provision of water – where are we going to get it from – and decaying and failing infrastructure – how are we going to distribute water to the end users. These are high-priority, big-ticket items that need the full attention of our 2025 legislators. Another major concern is the folks who get us that water – the water and wastewater operators. The current generation of those folks that do this work day in and day out are aging out and it is proving to be a difficult task recruiting replacement workers to carry the industry forward.
One final note…MUDS ARE GOOD FOR TEXAS!
To learn more about AWBD, and the water district industry overall, please visit our website at www.awbd-tx.org
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