Directors for the Lower Brushy Creek Water Control and Improvement District (WCID) met via video teleconference Monday morning and agreed to help rebuild a road across Site 12, which is southeast of Coupland.

The road, which gives the property owners access to parts of the site, was included in the original construction of the dam when it was built in 1966. However, WCID General Manager James Clarno noted that WCID personnel do not use this road to access the site.

Clarno explained that the road is below the pool elevation of the dam and the culvert that was part of the original construction is not big enough to be effective in a large rainfall without over topping. He said that, over the years, the WCID has participated in repairing that road when rainfall washed it out. He said the two current property owners are trying to upgrade the road and asked the WCID to provide one-third of the projected $30,000 in costs.

“It seems like we are going out of our means here,” said WCID board member Scott Ging. “It’s hard for me to give $10,000 away when the two property owners have already committed to do this.”

Clarno noted that the price is similar to what the WCID paid each time the property owner asked for help in the past, adding that any agreement would include a provision relieving the district of any further liability for the road.

“Whether we like this or not, we’re paying $10,000 to make this whole issue go away,” said Ed Komandosky, board president.

The directors approved the request, with the provision that the WCID would no longer be responsible for the road, though Ging abstained.

The other major piece of business before the directors was appointing a replacement for John Kitsmiller. Clarno said two people had applied for the open position: Allen David and Hal Boone, both from Thrall.

The directors said they felt uncomfortable appointing either man as they had not had the opportunity to interview either of them in person. The directors tabled that issue.

There will be a special meeting 7:30 a.m. Monday, July 13 in the conference room at the Greater Taylor Chamber of Commerce to allow the directors to meet and interview the candidates. The directors are expected to take action at that meeting.

In other business, directors:
• approved an ethics policy covering directors and staff
• approved an agreement with Hall Bros. for $26,750 for the summer maintenance program
• approved assurances relating to real property acquisition for repairs to sites 12 and 22
• approved draft FY 21 goals and strategic plan
• approved draft FY 21 budget
• approved FY 2020 tax rate of 2-cents per $100 valuation

Directors will hold a public hearing on the proposed tax rate 7 p.m. August 6 at Taylor City Hall.

WCID Directors OK private access road, delay appointment of new member