This post will be updated with responses to public comments and questions as they are received. If you have a comment or question, please see the information and instructions for submitting Central Heights comments and questions
Generally speaking, it’s ANRA’s intent that every water tap and water meter is located on the property for which that meter serves. In some cases, that may not be possible because of other utilities in the way or other physical barriers that prevent a specific location from being suitable to installing a water tap and water meter, however, those cases are rare. With regard to construction of US Hwy. 259, there will be numerous utility relocations that are required, including water lines. In every case where ANRA would be required to relocate a water line or a water meter to accommodate road construction, water meters would be placed in front of the property it serves.
Recently, the City of Nacogdoches (City) and the Angelina & Neches River Authority (ANRA) began a conversation about the possibility of ANRA acquiring the Central Heights water system, which is owned and operated by the City of Nacogdoches. The portion of the City’s water system in Central Heights currently services approximately 363 connections. The City has indicated that this portion of the water system has reached its service capacity regarding the number of connections it can serve with the infrastructure currently in place. The City desires to focus its attention and finances on other infrastructure-related matters inside the city limits and has expressed a desire to partner with a public entity who shares similar governmental responsibilities and a legislative mission to initiate a transfer of the water system. After several technical meetings, both the City and ANRA participated in an initial due diligence process for sharing data, conducting site visits and exploring options for moving forward.
A public meeting was held on November 17, 2022 at Central Heights ISD, and ANRA is now accepting public comments until December 16, 2022.
Handouts from the public meeting, and a comment form are available below.
Central Heights introduction and FAQ
Central Heights Project Maphandout
Sunset Advisory Commission Invites Public Input on the Angelina & Neches River Authority of Texas
The Sunset Advisory Commission is reviewing the mission and performance of the Angelina & Neches River Authority of Texas (ANRA) and welcomes public comments on ideas to improve its operations and services. The Texas Sunset Act requires the Sunset Commission to periodically review ANRA and recommend whether to change state law to improve the authority’s efficiency and effectiveness. The Legislature ultimately will decide whether to adopt Sunset’s statutory recommendations. The Sunset Commission also may adopt management directives for ANRA that do not require statutory change.
The Sunset process has three stages. First, Sunset staff will evaluate ANRA, seek public input, and issue a report recommending solutions to problems found. Second, the Sunset Commission will hold two public meetings: a hearing on the staff report and the authority, and a decision meeting to adopt recommendations to the Legislature based on the report and public comments. Third, the Legislature will convene in January 2025 and will consider Sunset’s statutory recommendations in a Sunset bill for ANRA.
Here are several ways to provide comments and suggestions to Sunset staff on ANRA’s mission, operations, and services:
• Send an email to sunset(a)sunset.texas.gov
• Submit comments online at www.sunset.texas.gov
• Send a letter to Sunset Advisory Commission, Attn: ANRA, P.O. Box 13066, Austin, Texas 78711
• Call (512) 463-1300 to speak to Andrew McConnell, project manager of the ANRA review
Please provide your comments by September 12 to ensure Sunset staff can fully consider your input while conducting their review. Comments submitted before the staff report is published in November 2024 will remain confidential.
Stay informed! Visit www.sunset.texas.gov to sign up for email alerts on the Sunset staff report and the Sunset Commission’s public meetings on ANRA.