10/14/2025
Wise County’s Future and the West Fork Public Utility Agency (PUA)
As a local home builder, we see firsthand the need for available options when it comes to new homes — but growth must happen sensibly and in a way that preserves the rural character that makes Wise County special.
Our family has lived here for generations, and we value the open country, space to breathe, and the slower pace of life that define this community. Wise County isn’t meant to be rows of homes stacked 10 feet apart — it’s about land, freedom, and family.
The proposed West Fork Public Utility Agency (PUA) is a double-edged sword. It could be a positive step toward securing a reliable water supply for the future, but if not carefully managed, it could also open the door to high-density sprawl and overdevelopment that changes the landscape we all love.
We hope this decision is made thoughtfully — with an emphasis on protecting Wise County’s water resources and rural way of life, not enabling unchecked growth.
At Rising Creek Custom Homes, we believe in building homes that fit the land and community around them, not change it. Wise County’s strength has always been in its people, its space, and its values — and we’re committed to helping preserve that for generations to come.
Today in Commissioners Court, we discussed whether Wise County should join the proposed West Fork Public Utility Agency (PUA). I’ve always promised transparency and accountability in every decision I make, so I want to share exactly what was discussed and where I stand.
The proposed PUA would include the following participants:
Wise County; the cities of Alvord, Aurora, Boyd, Bridgeport, Decatur, Newark, New Fairview, Paradise, and Rhome; along with Walnut Creek Special Utility District, West Wise Special Utility District, New Fairview MUD No. 1, and Rolling V Ranch WCID No. 3.
The governing board would include one representative from each of these entities, except Wise County, which would have two board seats. These representatives cannot be elected officials but must be registered voters.
West Fork PUA does require oversight and approval by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) before it can officially operate. The purpose of this PUA would be similar to the proposed Wise Regional Water District that did not pass during the 89th Legislature, to secure long-term water allocations for Wise County and develop the infrastructure needed to deliver it. The PUA would not be a taxing entity and would not have eminent domain authority. Its funding would come primarily from future rate payers, but Wise County’s initial contribution would be $40,345.
One key difference is that this PUA could also fund wastewater infrastructure, such as regional wastewater treatment facilities. This is where things get a little murky for me. While wastewater infrastructure is important for our municipalities, it could also enable high-density development in the unincorporated areas of the county, something I, and many of our residents, strongly oppose.
Our community values open space, rural character, and freedom from heavy urban congestion. Those values are what make Wise County special, and they’re values I will continue to protect.
At the same time, we have to plan responsibly for our future. Securing reliable water access is about self-reliance and local control, not development. Growth is coming whether we like it or not, and if Wise County doesn’t have a seat at the table in regional water discussions, others will make those decisions for us.
That’s why I’ve given careful consideration to the PUA. From my perspective, the intent should not be to promote high-density growth or urban sprawl, but to protect Wise County’s aquifers, secure our long-term water future, and maintain local influence over how and where infrastructure develops.
Today, the court voted to move forward with publishing legal notices and scheduling a public hearing on October 27, 2025, with potential court action on October 29, 2025 (Date has been updated).
If the county does move forward, I believe we should do so with strict safeguards:
• Wise County’s participation must be limited to regional water supply planning and wholesale infrastructure, not the extension of retail water or wastewater service into unincorporated areas.
• Any PUA projects must align with Wise County’s vision for responsible, managed growth, not high-density development.
• All County funds must be transparent, publicly reported, and used only for the public purpose of securing long-term water resources, not for wastewater expansion.
I’m proud that my colleagues on the court agreed that Wise County has no intention of getting into the utility business. Our goal is simply to ensure Wise County has a seat and a voice in regional water planning decisions that will affect us for generations.
My position remains clear:
We should pursue water independence, not population expansion.
I support Wise County having a say in how water is sourced and shared, but never at the expense of the rural lifestyle and values that make our county home and that you elected me to defend!
