River Place residents ready for May vote on limited district status after Austin annexation

“We can hold meetings, which we’re planning on doing; what we can’t do is have literature printed [or make] yard signs and spend public funds to do that,” he said.

State rules allow the River Place Homeowners’ Association to lobby more actively. HOA Chairman Scott Crosby said the HOA voted Feb. 13 to support approval of the limited district and to support this effort by:

• use of NextDoor and email stating the HOA’s support and approval of the limited district and use of examples of the economic benefit;
• use of the community marquee at the front of the neighborhood stating the May 5 date of the election and the HOA’s support;
• use of political yard signs noting HOA support for the limited district; and
• using a monthly meeting to promote the approval of the limited district by answering homeowner questions.

The only controversial issue for River Place, Reilly said, involves the trails at Woodlands Park and the mainly weekend traffic they bring—a challenge the board’s transportation committee is studying.

If the limited district is not approved in May, park maintenance will be taken over by the city of Austin, Reilly said.

“It’s not pretty. The city [of Austin] would take over and maintain the parks and trails the same way they maintain the parks and trails [elsewhere] in the city,” he said.

Should the residents not approve the limited district in May, the limited district (original MUD) will automatically be dissolved within 60 days, and the relevant services will be assumed by the city. Any unused funds at the time of dissolution will be transferred to the city of Austin.

Q&A with River Place Board President Pat Reilly

Is the experience on the River Place board what you perceived it would be?

Yes, it is. I have been involved with municipal utility districts, water supply corporations and municipalities since 1995. I was the regional vice president for Southwest Water Co.’s ECO Resources, Inc. ECO was in the business of managing and operating MUDs, WSCs and municipalities throughout the U.S. My region included all of Texas—with the exception of Houston—Mississippi, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Colorado. At one time River Place MUD was one of my clients. I have lived in River Place for almost 23 years. I know all of the board members personally. I have worked with all of the consultants for the MUD both at River Place and with other clients.

How has your professional experience lent to the role as board president?

I originally was appointed to the position of treasurer. I believe my background was very beneficial to the district in both the budgeting process and the monthly financial reviews. I was appointed to the president’s position when our president, Jim Casey, passed away. Taking over the position that Mr. Casey held for 18 years was a challenge. He was instrumental in almost every improvement the district made during his tenure; the development of both Sun Tree Park and Woodlands Park, to the creation of our trail system, to the outstanding bond rating and the expansion of the surface water treatment plant and finally the negotiations of the strategic partnership agreement with the city of Austin.

How do you describe your vision for the River Place community?

Assuming passage of the creation of the limited district, we hope to continue to maintain and improve our parks and trails. We will continue to work closely with our homeowners associations on events and activities. We will continue to have discussion with the city [of Austin] on our availability to acquire facilities they may abandon now that they have completed the annexation process.