Longtime member of the Board of Directors of the Brown County Water Improvement District #1 Ted Simpson ended his run of nearly 34 years on Tuesday.  Simpson opted not to run for re-election this year.  For almost half of his time on the Board, sixteen years, Simpson served as Board President.  Current Board President Bert Massey lauded Simpson for his service to the Water District and presented him with a plaque.

When asked if he enjoyed his time on the Board, Simpson said “I did, very much so.  It’s one of the most important Boards in this county.  It always has been and will continue to be so.”  One of the biggest achievements of the District during his term was the building of the new, state-of-the-art water treatment plant a few years ago.  “We’ve needed a new plant for a long time and we got it built and paid for.  And we have as good a staff as we’ve ever had”  As far as the future?  “We just need to continue to keep up with the times.  We have a good staff.  We need to always keep a good staff.  That’s one of the more important things.”

Ted Simpson will be replaced on the Board by his son Brad Simpson, who was elected on May 7.  Bert Massey was re-elected to the Board also.  District General Counsel Bart Johnson Jr. administered the oath of office to both men.

The Board then re-elected the same officers as the last term:  President Bert Massey, Vice-President James McMillian, and Secretary Jimmy Jones.  All committee assignments were re-appointed, with Brad Simpson taking the committee seats held by Ted Simpson.

In other business:

*** General Manager John Allen reported that Lake Brownwood is currently at level 1421.7 feet, or 3.4 feet below full.  That represents 84.6% of the lake capacity.

*** Allen reported that zebra mussels continue to be found in the lake in small clusters.  The engineering firm Freese and Nichols is working on a design to protect District pipelines and equipment from the mussels.  Allen expects that design work to be complete soon.

*** Ed Booth of Vulcan Materials addressed the Board and made a request to purchase untreated water, to be used for dust suppression and product washing.  No action was taken, as a contract is pending, but the Board indicated its approval of the request.

*** Allen reported on a lease space on McCartney Island that is in arrears on lease payment, which has voided the lease.  The owner has not responded to numerous attempts by the District to contact him, both through the mail and with telephone calls.  The dock on the space has partially broken loose and is a hazard to neighboring docks.  The District is making preparations to seize and impound the dock.

*** The Board voted to re-appoint Merritt, McLane & Hamby, P.C. of Abilene, Texas as auditor for the District’s 2021/2022 fiscal year.