‹ Bridgeland Water Agency · All districts' issues
concern
Other
$3,500
money moved
What public purpose, controls and return benefit support paying $3,500 of member districts' money to Bridgeland Council for National Night Out, and from which budget line?
Tex. Const. art. III §52(a); Gov't Code §791.011(c)(2); Good practice: a written sponsorship agreement
The board action behind it
2026-08-04: Approved a contribution of $3,000.00, plus an amount not exceeding $500.00, in sponsorship of National Night Out
What else happened at that meeting
The Board approved the bookkeeper's report and the quarterly investment report for the period ended May 31, 2026, and deferred action on a proposed amendment to the fiscal year 2027 operating budget. It approved $3,000.00, plus up to $500.00 for miscellaneous expenses, to sponsor National Night Out, and, by a 4-1 vote, a $600.00 donation to Precinct 5 for Halloween candy. By a 4-0 vote with one abstention, it allowed Harris County MUD No. 419 to use the Agency's name if it holds a holiday parade. The Board also agreed to send residents a clarification of a CenterPoint Energy notice and to start a 'Fats, Oils & Grease' education campaign.The law and guidance in force on 2026-08-04
| Public money may be spent on a private party only for a public purpose, with adequate controls and a return benefit Tex. Const. art. III §52(a) (three-part test from case law)
art. III §52: Same text in force then and now |
Question | Payment to a private community association for its event; the minutes record the request and amount, not the public purpose, the controls, or what the Agency receives (p.3-4). The Board later said it wanted fats, oils and grease materials for National Night Out (p.3). |
| The Agency may perform only functions in its Interlocal Cooperation Contract, and only those each member could perform itself Gov't Code §791.011(c)(2); First Amended and Restated Interlocal Cooperation Contract (not in the records reviewed)
§791.011(c)(2): Same text in force then and now |
Question | The contract's authority for event sponsorship is not in the record. |
Who's involved
Bridgeland Council, Inc. (community association (HOA), a private nonprofit)
Cost to the district
$3,500 $3,000 plus up to $500 for miscellaneous expenses. The adopted FY2027 budget has $0 for Event Sponsorship (line 16739) and $0 for Festival Expense; in 2025 the Agency sponsored the same event for $2,000 (July 1, 2025 minutes p.3).Money or costs moved
Member MUDs (pro rata by connections) → Bridgeland Council, Inc.: $3,500 Public funds of the member districts paid to the HOA for National Night Out.
Why the board approved it
Recorded: “Request received from Council (p.3).”
Not in the adopted budget, up 75% from last year, and paid to a private association without a written agreement in the record.