This information is for general purposes to provide background
on options available for certain districts to provide municipal
solid waste (MSW) services to customers. A district or community
interested in providing solid waste services should consult with
appropriate experts to determine the specific issues to resolve and
actions to take.
General Law Districts
Some general law districts have the authority to provide MSW
services within their jurisdiction. These districts may provide a
viable way to manage MSW in areas where a district exists, but no
MSW collection or disposal services are provided. A general law
district may serve as a good way to provide MSW collection services
as it can do the following:
- Negotiate and execute contracts with private companies or
interlocal agreements with local governments for MSW services
- Apply for municipal solid waste grants from its council of
governments
- Bill customers for MSW services on existing utility bills
- Terminate utility services for non-payment of services
(including MSW)
- Incur debt and/or levy taxes for financing related to MSW
management services
General Law Districts that Can Provide Municipal Solid Waste
Services
Water Control and Improvement District (WCID)
- Created under Chapter 51 of the Texas Water Code
- Has the authority to tax, borrow, and issue bonds
- May include all or part of one or more counties, including any
town, village, or municipal corporation, and may include other
political subdivisions of the state or any defined district
Municipal Utility District (MUD)
- Created under Chapter 54 of the Texas Water Code
- Has the authority to tax, borrow, and issue bonds
- May include all or part of any county or counties, including
all or part of any cities of other public agencies
Special Utility District (SUD)
- Created under Chapter 65 of the Texas Water Code
- Lack the authority to tax, but can incur debt through
bonds
- Customer-owned rural water supply corporations that have chosen
to form governmental districts
Example: The Lower Valley Water District (El Paso County)
The Lower Valley Water District, a MUD in El Paso County,
provides water and wastewater services to approximately 8,000
customers. Realizing many of its customers did not have any viable
options for convenient and affordable MSW services, the district
began providing MSW collection service in January 1996.
The district has a contract with a local solid waste collection
company to provide weekly garbage collection and monthly bulk-waste
collection. Customers pay for the service as a part of their
monthly utility bill.
In addition to providing the collection service, the district
also works with customers to ensure that they are aware of the
health and safety threats illegal dumping can pose to the
community.
Special Law Districts
Special law districts are created by individual legislation.
Several special law districts have been created in the past to
provide MSW services, including the Gulf Coast Waste Disposal
Authority, Van Zandt County Waste Disposal District, Gaines County
Solid Waste Management District, and Upper Sabine Valley Solid
Waste Management District.
A river authority is another type of special law district that
may provide MSW services.
The solid waste management districts that have been created in
Texas generally have the same types of powers, including authority
to:
- Levy a tax, if approved by voters
- Issue bonds
- Charge fees for services
- Construct, acquire, own, and operate landfills, recycling
facilities, and plants and equipment necessary to transport,
process, dispose of, and control solid waste
Please
contact us if you have any questions about solid wate
planning.
