About

History

About Fry Road MUD

Over the years, the Fry Road MUD board has endeavored to provide quality sewer and water service while keeping water, sewer, and tax rates low. In 2003, the board signed an SPA agreement with the city of Houston which allowed the city to levy a 1% sales tax in the district, half of which was to be rebated to the Fry Road MUD District. The money from the SPA has been used judiciously to keep tax rates down, finance projects out of pocket where other districts have to sell bonds, and fund projects good for the community. The new water well and sewer rehabilitation projects are examples where other districts need to sell bonds. Examples of community projects are Sundown Elementary playground equipment and shade structure and the building of the perimeter fence for Sundown Subdivision. Other projects are recounted in the history below.

Residents should also know that Fry Road MUD pays the majority of the WHCRWA (West Harris County Regional Water Authority) fees, something most districts pass through to the customers. Water in our district is assess at $2.95 per 1000 gallons.

The board continues to manage its assets so that unexpected expenditures do not translate into higher taxes for Fry Road MUD residents and businesses. Fry Road MUD residents and businesses are recipients of some of the lowest tax rates and water rates in the area.

The district also maintains a high bond rating should an unexpected need arise to sell bonds.

Services provided and maintained by Fry Road MUD:
  • Sewer and water
  • Harris County Sheriff’s Department patrols in the district
  • The Fry Road MUD District Building and Half-Cent Park available for community use
  • Hike and Bike trail amenities
  • Reduced fees for trash pickup through a negotiated contract with haulers
  • Security cameras at the entrances to Sundown Subdivision which have been actively used by the Harris County Sheriff’s department to identify and apprehend criminals
Main events and projects over the years:

2020 – 2023

  • Board Members (July 2021 – 2023): Jim Roadarmel, David Buxkamper, James Teal, Marcy Martinez, Michael Kramm
  • Board Members (2020 – June 2021): Jim Roadarmel, David Buxkamper, Oliver Brown, James Teal, Marcy Martinez.
  • On May 4th, 2023, the District listened to the needs of the Westlake VFD. The needs included an extrication tool, safety equipment, security cameras, exercise equipment, new gear for new volunteer firefighters, and portable lighting.  Considering that Westlake VFD provided the District with fire and ambulance services and considering the overall health and wellbeing of the volunteers, the District decided to cover the total costs of a little over $165,500.  The District also plans to fund another $50,000+ to cover a lift for the VFD’s high water vehicle by the end of the year.
  • The District has partnered with Harris County Precinct 4 to provide additional sidewalks in the District along Park Row, Snake River and Price Plaza.  Construction should begin late 2023.
  • At the end of 2022 and continuing into 2023 the District is working with the West Harris County Regional Water Authority (WHCRWA) to bring surface water to the District’s water plant.  Some modifications will be needed at the District’s water plant to accept and meter the water and provide to the residents.  Construction is anticipated to start in 2024.
  • At the end of 2021, the district reached a milestone – it made its final debt service payment against the bonds sold to finance the original water facility. The district is free of any long-term debt obligations.
  • In 2019 a project to rehabilitate parts of the sewer treatment facility, the associated lift station, and the two remote lift stations were identified and put on the CIP (Capital Improvement Plan). Engineering began in 2019 and the construction began in 2021 and was completed in 2022 at a cost of close to $2 million dollars. The district was able to pay for the work without selling bonds.
  • In 2020 the board worked with the engineer and operator to add water valves to the system to ensure the minimum number of customers would lose water to their homes during repair work requiring the water to be off at the site of the repair.
  • In 2021, the district began plans to demo water plant #1 according to the regulations put forward by the TCEQ. The district was able to sell the water tanks to another municipal utility district.  In conjunction with the plans to remove the water plant facilities, plans were being made to construct a pocket park for the community at large.  Plans are proceeding and it is hoped that the project will be completed in 2024.

2019

  • Board Members: Jim Roadarmel, David Buxkamper, Oliver Brown, James Teal, Denny Hay
  • The board has recognized that many of the facilities/equipment in the district are in need of major rehabilitation as were the sewer lines rehabilitated in 2017-2018. The board in conjunction with those working for the district, created a 5 year Capital Improvement Project (CIP) to prioritize rehabilitation of facilities, allocate funds for community projects, and keep tax levels low.
  • The board authorized a GPS mapping of the water valves in the district and the addition of water valves to be able to isolate water repairs quicker and in ways that will impact the fewest number of customers.
  • One of the major items recognized by the CIP was the need to rehabilitate the lift stations and some priority work to be done at the sewer treatment plant. The project is in the planning stage and will be completed in approximately 1.5 years. The project is estimated at $2.5 million.

2017-2018

  • Board Members: Jim Roadarmel, David Buxkamper, Oliver Brown, James Teal, Denny Hay
  • The Sewer lines had reached the end of life. The board authorized a sewer rehabilitation project. The sewer project was done in 3 phases and the board was able to cover the costs of the project without selling bonds.
  • The board purchased and had cameras installed at entrances into the subdivision for security purposes. The Harris County Sheriff’s department has been able to use the cameras to track and apprehend criminals with the use of the system.
  • The fire department was looking to invest in better equipment to be used during flood conditions such as Hurricane Harvey. The board purchased a surplus Army High Water vehicle to aid the Fire Department in its efforts.

2015-2016

  • Board Members: Jim Roadarmel, David Buxkamper, Oliver Brown, James Teal, Denny Hay
  • The board was approached by the Sundown HOA to help with the replacement of the fence surrounding the subdivision. The board authorized the planning and building of the perimeter fence around Sundown Subdivision. The HOA agreed to owning and maintaining the fence.
  • The board authorized the planning and construction of Half Cent Park on the area directly behind the District’s Building. The pavilion in the center provides a spot where people can have small parties and the area around the pavilion is open where children can run.

2014

  • Board Members: Jim Roadarmel, David Buxkamper, Oliver Brown, James Teal, Denny Hay
  • The trash service contract was renegotiated.

2012/2013

  • Board members: John Blanke, Efrain Martinez Jim Roadarmel, David Buxkamper, Lola Reed (Oliver Brown took Lola’s spot in late 2013)
  • The board partnered with Sundown Elementary to run an Art contest. Prizes were given at each grade level. Some of the art still hangs in the Fourier of the District Building.

2011/2012

  • Board members: John Blanke, Efrain Martinez Jim Roadarmel, David Buxkamper, Lola Reed
  • Sundown Elementary needed a playground cover for the basketball court. The teachers were going to sell pizza for a percentage toward the money needed for the cover. They asked the board for a donation. The board decided to fund the playground cover for the school so the teachers could focus on teaching as opposed to fund raising..
  • The board added exercise equipment and landscaping to the hike & bike which is used regularly by trail goers.
  • The board became involved with the KAEDC Districts’ Council where directors from various districts meet and discuss how the districts can better service their customers.

2010-2011

  • Board members: John Blanke, Efrain Martinez Jim Roadarmel, David Buxkamper, Lola Reed
  • Water Well #2 Planning and construction was authorized by the board. The well was financed by a $2 million line of credit from Amegy (final payment was made in 2012)
  • The board negotiated a contract with WCA to pickup trash in the district. The reason was by adding the trash pickup fee to the water bill and paying WCA directly, the district was able to negotiate a reduced rate for the homeowners in the district.
  • The board felt that they had a responsibility toward water conservation for future generations. The extreme drought conditions led the board to institute a graduated payment of the WHCRWA fees based on water usage over 5000 gallons per month. Once residents passed 5000 gallons, a percentage of the WHCRA fees would be passed to the residents. As the volume of water use increases, so doees the percentage of the WHCRA fees passed to the residents.

2009-2010

  • Board members: John Blanke, Efrain Martinez Jim Roadarmel, David Buxkamper, Lola Reed
  • The board authorized the construction of the Hike & bike trail.
  • The board authorized the planning and construction of the Sidewalk along Saums so the the elementary school children had a better avenue to walk and ride their bikes.

2008-2009

  • Board members: John Blanke, Efrain Martinez Jim Roadarmel, David Buxkamper, Lola Reed
  • Planning for Hike & bike began.
  • The board covered expenses for Storm debris pickup in district after Hurricane Ike

2007/2008

  • Board members: John Blanke, Efrain Martinez Jim Roadarmel, David Buxkamper, Lola Reed
  • The board worked with Sundown Elementary to replace old Playground equipment.

2005/2006

  • Board Members: John Blanke, Efrain Martinez, Connie Merrill, James Roadarmel, David Buxkamper
  • The board authorized the planning and construction of the Fry Road MUD community building.

2004

  • Beginning in 2004, thanks to the SPA money, the Fry Road MUD was able to contract with Harris County Sheriff’s Department for security in district.

Before 2003

  • The board was struggling to pay its debts and tax increases loomed for the District. Fortunately the board was able to sign an SPA agreement with the city of Houston which allowed the city to levy a 1% sales tax in the district, half of which was to be rebated to the Fry Road MUD District.

District Map