Municipal utility district participation in a new water bill checkoff fundraising program has been modest since it began last year as just six of roughly 80 MUDs in the unincorporated northwest Harris County area have agreed to take part.

The water bill checkoff system began with the passage of House Bill 2528, authored by state Rep. Patricia Harless in the 84th legislative session. The bill allows water districts to accept donations through a checkoff box on water bills to fund economic development programs such as those fostered by Grow Northwest, the economic development initiative launched by Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce.

Through this legislation, the chamber hopes to raise $192,000 per year. Prior to the passing of HB 2528, there were little means to secure sustainable funding for community and economic development in the unincorporated areas of Harris County, said Barbara Thomason, president of the Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce.

“It allows utility districts in Harris County to partner with us—nonprofit economic development entities—and it allows citizens to participate in funding improvements that should have a direct positive effect on their property values,” she said.

The fundraising system operates under the Open Records Act, and financial reports will be reported.

“We expect to see the checkoff box initiated and some revenue trickle in after February,” Thomason said.

The Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce is aware of the bill and is looking into a similar program that would make use of water bill donations from Cy-Fair-area residents.

The Grow Northwest four-year initiative was launched in fall 2014 and requires $3.14 million to fund its goals, which include increasing law enforcement, improving the community image and recruiting jobs.

Grow Northwest aims to reduce year-over-year crime by 10 percent, and monument signs labeled and street markers at major intersections are a part of the Grow Northwest rebranding initiatives.

The four-year cost to design and install monument signs is $610,000. It includes the installation of street markers at 75 intersections.

Grow Northwest aims to retain at least 15 businesses per year, and the business retention and expansion program strives to recruit two nonretail businesses to the area.

“It is very important to retain businesses,” Thomason said.