Author: Big Oaks MUD

Changes to the Costs Born by Big Oaks MUD and the HOAs

West Oaks Village HOA and Twin Oaks Village HOA have meters that measure the water they use on their respective HOA properties. As set by the original Developers of West Oak Village and Twin Oaks Village, both HOAs have for many years been charged a fixed monthly flat rate of $5 per HOA irrigation meter regardless of their actual water usage. This resulted in Big Oaks MUD heavily subsidizing HOA water usage.

After careful review, the Big Oaks MUD Board of Directors has adopted rates for the HOA irrigation meters that reflect their actual water usage. Beginning in January, 2023, each HOA irrigation meter rate will match the tiered rates applied to single-family residences within the MUD.

  • Tiered rates increase as more water is being used; users of large amounts of water pay incrementally more per gallon.
  • Using tiered rates is common practice for many water districts and is intended to encourage optimal water management by larger users.
  • This change means that both HOAs will receive an increase in their monthly water bills.

To help the HOAs offset the increase in their water costs, the MUD is absorbing two other expenses previously born by the HOAs. Historically, both HOAs have paid a proportional share of the costs related to the Contract Deputy patrols and the mosquito control services. Going forward, Big Oaks MUD is taking full financial responsibility for the Contract Deputy patrols and the mosquito control services; the two HOAs will no longer pay any part of the costs for those two services.

Action Required for Customers that Pay Online, by Phone, or by Automatic Draft

As the Operators for Big Oaks MUD, Municipal Operations & Consulting, Inc., we are pleased to announce the transition of our water & sewer utility billing software.

Your account number will change with this software transition. Your new account number will be available after 07/19/2022. To obtain your new account number, please contact our office at (281) 367-5511 or email us at general@municipalops.com.

If you plan to drop off or mail in payment, you may submit using the current payment coupon at the bottom of your invoice.

Action is required for customers that pay online, by phone, or by automatic draft. Please see additional information, below.

Payment Drop-Off Locations: (cash, check, and money orders)

  • Katy Location: 1825 North Mason Road, Katy, Texas 77449
  • Spring Location: 27316 Spectrum Way, Oak Ridge North, Texas 77385

Mail All Payment to: (check and money orders)

  • Big Oaks MUD
    20141 Schiel Road, Cypress, Texas 77433

Automatic Draft, Payment Online or By Phone (online bill pay, ACH, re-occurring credit card)

To Pay Online or by Phone

Please contact us after 07/19/2022, for your new account number: at (281) 367-5511 or at  general@municipalops.com.

Online Bank Payments

Make sure to update payment information at your bank to your new account number. It is critical to ensure proper posting of your payment.

Automatic ACH Service or Re-Occurring Credit Card Payment

Please visit www.municipalops.com, after 07/19/2022, to set up a new online account.

Voluntary Water Restrictions in Place

Stage 1 of the district’s drought contingency plan has been triggered. Please limit irrigation and lawn watering to the times and days indicated below.

  • Sundays and Thursdays for customers with a street address ending in an even number (0, 2, 4, 6 or 8)
  • Saturdays and Wednesdays for water customers with a street address ending in an odd number (1, 3, 5, 7 or 9)

Irrigate landscapes only between the hours of 12:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.   and between 8:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. for the following designated watering days.

Irrigation of green belts, esplanades and sports field shall be limited to Mondays and Fridays between 8:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m.

 

Bond Election

Park Bond Summary

Note: On May 1, 2021, voters in the District turned down the proposed Park Bonds that are described here. No other Park Bonds are being proposed at this time.

The Board of Directors of Big Oaks Municipal Utility District has voted to submit a proposition to the voters of Big Oaks Municipal Utility District at the election to be held on May 1, 2021 to issue up to $12,000,000 in Park Bonds.

Attached is a brief description of the bonds:

Park Bonds
  • Purpose – The Park Bonds will be issued for the purpose of building park and recreational facilities in the District.
  • Projects – The specific projects to be financed have not been identified yet by the District – the Board of Directors intends on consulting with community groups – including both HOAs – to build a consensus prior to issuing any bonds.
  • Tax Rate – The Board of Directors has decided not to issue any bonds if the District’s tax rate would increase. Although the estimated tax increase on $100,000.00 of property in the District on the Voter Information provided is $30.00 per year, the Board does not intend to issue bonds if any increase in taxes would be required.
  • Water and Sewer Rates – The District’s water and sewer rates will not increase and the Board will not use water and sewer revenue to pay the Park Bonds
  • Amount of Bonds – By law the District can only have Park Bonds outstanding in an amount less than 1% of the District’s appraised value. With an appraised value of $440,822,262 for 2020, the maximum amount of bonds which can be issued and outstanding at any one time would be $4,408,222. The additional bonds (up to $12MM) may only be issued in the future if the District pays off previously issued Park Bonds or the District’s tax base grows. The Board of Directors would like to have the flexibility to issue future bonds in either event.

Special Pick up for Storm Debris

Wednesday, March 24th WCA will be providing a special pick up for storm debris.

The following are general guidelines:

  • Items must be at the curbside by 7:00 AM.
  • Construction material will be picked up. Such as sheetrock, insulation, wood, flooring, carpet (rolled up and bound, no wider than 4 feet, and does not weigh more than 40 pounds, etc.).
  • Please keep in mind that helpers will be physically loading these items in the truck by hand. If items are stacked too high, they will not be unable to load those items in the truck.

WCA Joins GFL Environmental Group

WCA has joined the GFL Environmental group of companies. This change will not affect you as the customer, there will be no change in the service you are currently receiving from WCA.

What will change over the upcoming months, is our branding. At some point, the trucks, will be green trucks with the GFL logo. Crews will be in your community to place a sticker with the GFL logo over the WCA logo on the carts, for your household waste and recycle. Eventually, as carts need to be replaced the carts will be GFL carts. The crew’s uniform will change as well.