General Board Meeting Recap: May 21, 2025

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A Forensic Bombshell - Public Comments

We begin with public comments, and Renee of Dayflower Trace dropped a truth bomb. She’s a professional accountant with forensic audit creds and took a hard look at the District’s bills. Her verdict? Sketchy. She asked the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to audit the District. Someone give Renee a medal and a spreadsheet.

The Great Meeting Notification Mystery (3:15)

Director Flores brought up a little something called transparency, noting he wasn’t told about the May 1 special meeting. That would fall under the president’s responsibility, but here comes Beth Jones, defending herself with a verbal shrug: “Everyone got the same email.” Plot twist: we requested those emails, and the District’s official response? Jones’ email requesting the special meeting with a cc: to Avila and no other board member.  Avila claims to have no records about the scheduling of the meeting “None on my end.” Translation: Beth made it up and Hanoi is withholding public records. At 7:27, she has the audacity to tell Flores to “please tell the truth.” Peak irony.

Director Avila tries to throw the attorney under the bus by asking if everyone was notified. The attorney doesn’t bite—he just says he posts the agenda. Avila insists notices went out - but remember  his response to the PIR request for the notice “None on my end.”  Jones doubles down on the “equal treatment” fantasy. We’re filing PIRs to sort this out. Again. 

An Engineer in a Sea of Clowns (20:12)

A rare moment of professionalism. Sewer inspections, lead & copper rule compliance, rehab projects—Westwood is on it. Just a word to the wise, Jacob: don’t pull a “Herb” and replace outdated infrastructure with… more outdated infrastructure.

The Sidewalk Trap (30:04)


Sidewalk Talk returns. The resolution says sidewalks exist in both counties. Williamson County says "not our problem." Travis County is still ghosting. Flores asks if this locks the MUD into sidewalk repairs forever. The answer? Not really, but the board sure acts like it’s forever. Everyone conveniently forgets the part where residents are supposed to be responsible for their property’s sidewalks in their deeds. Cue Jones’s usual “keeping neighbors safe” tagline, freshly laminated for tonight’s meeting.

Rocco warns they might need to raise taxes. Pause. How about you try spending responsibly first, Chris? Flores reminds us that water, not sidewalks, is kind of the main gig here.

Then, in a moment of philosophical clarity, Jones says she was “thinking” (red alert) and rants about how developers gave us sidewalks and parks so we don’t become a “yucky” place. Direct quote. So wise. So deeply unhelpful.

The El Salido Slip-Up (44:22)


It was “repaired” but now has razor-blade concrete slabs and erosion potential. Flores volunteers to slap some crushed granite on it like a Band-Aid. The engineer, ever the adult in the room, confirms he’s called the contractor. The $2,500 contract cost him more in back-and-forth. Classic.

Park Landscaping and Pet Projects (49:18)


The landscaper gets bumped up. Another Jones vanity project—$4,275.32 to tidy up the park and install lights. No one’s seen the actual proposal, of course. Flores asks for it before voting. What a revolutionary idea.

Committee Confusion: Who’s On First? (55:30)


Welcome to the Information Management Committee, featuring Avila and Norrell—and apparently Rocco, who isn’t even on the committee. Norrell wants to make the website easier with an “icon and a box” (bless your heart). Meanwhile, the site remains out of legal compliance.

The PIR Paradox (58:16)


Norrell whines about PIR costs but fails to grasp that the solution is simple: publish the board packet. You’re the management committee. That’s literally your job.

Jones Blames Tax Hikes on Transparency (1:00:02)


Jones adds, “People wonder why our taxes go up.” Actually, Beth, they’ve gone down. It’s your poor financial management, rogue security hires, and that $50K toxic playground that nearly got someone killed that’s wrecking the budget.

Security Theater: Unauthorized and Unapologetic (1:05:50)


Jones hired a roving patrol and engaged the Williamson County Sheriff without board approval, citing a March tragedy as justification. A clear Open Meetings Act violation.The catch? She had two months to bring it to the board - but she just, didn’t.  Now she’s asking for retroactive approval. Rocco blurts that board members are scared to attend meetings without an officer. Another “gossip as truth” situation.  If listening to the truth from constituents makes you feel scared maybe you should find another gig.  

The attorney gingerly reminds everyone that only the Board can authorize payments. Avila motions to approve the roving patrol anyway. Of course he does.

The Contract Avila Never Read (1:12:30)


Avila wants to form a committee to review a contract he probably hasn’t read. Predictably, he suggests hiring a consultant to help. Because if there’s one thing this board loves, it’s spending money to not understand the money they’re spending.

Budgeting Without a Budgeter (1:18:44)

Rocco wants to start the budget process but isn’t comfy setting a tax rate without a financial advisor. Newsflash: You don’t have one. He points out errors in the current budget while pretending he didn’t green-light a bunch of un-budgeted nonsense.

The Water Vanishes, and So Does Accountability (1:24:22)


Water accountability is at a dismal 84 percent, meaning taxpayers are footing the bill for lost water. Two bids to pressure wash the walls are debated for eleven full minutes. Grab popcorn.

$4,286.87 for 6 Signs—Welcome to the MUD (1:36:58)


Inframark wants $2,952 to install six signs that cost $1,334.87 to purchase reminding folks this is a deed-restricted community. That’s nearly $715 a sign… installed by a technician already on the clock and paid to be here. Make it make sense.

The Mystery of Stephanie’s Office Hours (1:41:07)


Inframark adjusts Stephanie Reese’s hours, the person the District pays 100 percent to be on-site—because back in 2017, the District doubled its base fee to ensure two full-time employees were physically present. History? Forgotten. Customer Service, pushed to the bottom of the priority list, again.

Closing Thoughts (1:45:32)


And so concludes another thrilling installment of The MUD That Couldn’t Budget. Tune in next time for more budget bumbles, committee confusion, and unapproved contracts—all brought to you by your friendly neighborhood watchdogs at MUDucation.org. Where the water may not be clear, or accounted for, but the nonsense sure is.