TBCD wraps up year, looking ahead to 2025

WINNIE— Trinity Bay Conservation District held its regular meeting Dec. 23, where the board of directors was updated on recent projects and reviewed their annual audit. 

The auditing company Wathen, DeShong and Juncker, LLP, assessed the audit presented fairly. 

“Presents fairly is what you’re looking for,” said Pat O’Neill III, CPA and audit partner with the company. 

At the meeting, TBCD decided to create a Facebook page in addition to the public notice system in place. 

The page will not allow commentary but will serve as a means to inform those within the district of various notices, such as water boil advisories. 

“We’ve kicked this dog before. We’ve had it (public notice system) now for a year and a half and we’ve got 5% of customers on it,” TBCD President Victor Caraway said. 

The board approved LJA Engineering for TBCD’s 2024 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, HMGP, from the Texas Division of Emergency Management. 

The grant was previously approved, along with a grant administrator, but the board needed to select an engineering company. LJA was chosen due to the company’s previous partnership with the board. 

The grant will be used for various projects and protections, such as wrapping pipes at treatment water plants during winter storms, according to Jerry Shadden, general manager.  

David Hoyt, operations coordinator, updated the board on utility projects. 

Six new meters were installed throughout the district, a few leaks in pipes were repaired and a fire hydrant in Anahuac was replaced.  

Amos Roy, district employee, updated the board on recent drainage projects. 

Rush Ditch, north of Interstate 10, and upstream of Onion Bayou were cleaned. Crooked Bayou was cleaned and a bridge was built per a resident’s request. 

A crew began work on a cleanup of East Bay Bayou. 

Roy expressed excitement for new projects for January but did not go into detail about what they would entail. 

“Ready to hit the ground running after Christmas,” Roy said.