The Public Utility Commission of Texas on Feb. 24 requested more time to respond to the North Texas Municipal Water District’s motion to dismiss a petition requesting the PUCT to review the district's water contract with its member cities.

In December, the cities of Garland, Mesquite, Plano and Richardson originally petitioned the PUCT to review the water district's contract with its 13 member cities, saying it is not in the public interest. Earlier this month, the NTMWD filed its response with the PUCT asking for a dismissal of the petition due to lack of jurisdiction.

The PUCT is seen as a third party in the matter.

PUCT staff originally had until Feb. 27 to respond to the NTMWD’s motion to dismiss, but requested to move the deadline to March 6. According to the filing, both the four member cities and the NTMWD agreed to the extension.

If the PUCT decides to not dismiss the case, the next step could proceed to a hearing with the State Office of Administrative Hearings or cause the PUCT to ask for clarifying information from the district and four member cities, said Terry Hadley, a spokesman for the PUCT.

The four cities requesting the review are the four largest contributing NTMWD member cities. Other member cities include Allen, Frisco, McKinney, Farmersville, Forney, Princeton, Rockwall, Wylie and Royse City.