Welcome to Montgomery County Municipal Utility District No. 18
Through Montgomery County MUD 18’s website you can easily find links to the following services.
Hurricane Preparedness- 2021
Be ready for hurricane season. Today you can determine your personal hurricane risk, find out if you live in a hurricane evacuation zone, and review/update insurance policies. You can also make a list of items to replenish hurricane emergency supplies and start thinking about how you will prepare your home for the coming hurricane season. If you live in hurricane-prone areas, you are encouraged to complete these simple preparations before hurricane season begins on June 1. Keep in mind, you may need to adjust any preparedness actions based on the latest health and safety guidelines from the CDC and your local officials.
Find out today what types of wind and water hazards could happen where you live, and then start preparing how to handle them. Hurricanes are not just a coastal problem. Their impacts can be felt hundreds of miles inland, and significant impacts can occur without it being a major hurricane.
The first thing you need to do is find out if you live in a hurricane evacuation zone. If you do, now is the time to begin planning where you would go and how you would get there. You do not need to travel hundreds of miles, but have multiple options. Your destination could be a friend or relative who doesn’t live in an evacuation zone. If you live in a well-built home outside the evacuation zone, your safest place may be to remain home. Be sure to account for your pets in your plan. As hurricane season approaches, listen to local officials on questions related to how you may need to adjust any evacuation plans based on the latest health and safety guidelines from the CDC and your local officials.
You’re going to need supplies not just to get through the storm but for the potentially lengthy and unpleasant aftermath. Have enough non-perishable food, water and medicine to last each person in your family a minimum of three days. Electricity and water could be out for at least that long. You’ll need extra cash, a battery-powered radio and flashlights. You may need a portable crank or solar-powered USB charger for your cell phones.
If you need to go to a public shelter, the CDC recommends bringing items that can help protect you and others from COVID-19, such as hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, bar or liquid soap, disinfectant wipes (if available) and two masks for each person. (Children under two years old and people having trouble breathing should not wear face coverings.)
Call your insurance company or agent and ask for an insurance check-up to make sure you have enough homeowners insurance to repair or even replace your home. Don’t forget coverage for your car or boat. Remember, standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flooding. Whether you’re a homeowner or renter, you’ll need a separate policy for it, and it’s available through your company, agent or the National Flood Insurance Program at floodsmart.gov. Act now as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period.
- FLASH Insurance Guide: If Disaster Strikes, Will You Be Covered?
- Find available coverage at floodsmart.gov
If you plan to ride out the storm in your home, make sure it is in good repair and up to local hurricane building code specifications. Many retrofits are not as costly or time consuming as you may think. Have the proper plywood, steel or aluminum panels to board up the windows and doors. Remember, the garage door is the most vulnerable part of the home, so it must be able to withstand the winds.
- FLASH: How-To Videos
- Protect Your Home From Flooding Video (English/Spanish)
Many Americans rely on their neighbors after a disaster, but there are also many ways you can help your neighbors before a hurricane approaches. Learn about all the different actions you and your neighbors can take to prepare and recover from the hazards associated with hurricanes. Start the conversation now with these Neighbor Helping Neighbor strategies but remember you may need to adjust your preparedness plans based on the latest health and safety guidelines from the CDC and your local officials.
The time to prepare for a hurricane is before the season begins, when you have the time and are not under pressure. If you wait until a hurricane is on your doorstep, the odds are that you will be under duress and will make the wrong decisions. Take the time now to write down your hurricane plan. Know who issues evacuation orders for your area, determine locations on where you will ride out the storm, and start to get your supplies now. Being prepared before a hurricane threatens makes you resilient to the hurricane impacts of wind and water. It will mean the difference between being a hurricane victim or a hurricane survivor.
Summer 2021 Newsletter
MUD 18 Newsletter
June – August 2021
Board of Directors: The MUD 18 Board of Directors consists of 5 members elected by registered voters in the District for staggered four-year terms. Nancy Busen is retiring from the MUD 18 Board effective May 30 and a new board member will be named to fulfill the remaining term.
Water, Sewer, Trash & Recycling: Many Bentwater residents had damage to their homes and freeze damage to plants and trees caused by the winter storm and extended cold temperatures in February. As a result, Spring clean-up is more extensive this year. All yard debris including plants, trees, and shrubs should be cut up, tied, and bundled for Waste Management pick-up. If possible, place yard debris in large trash bags. Make sure that the recycle bin is placed free from bags or other items. If you have any questions about what is eligible for pick-up call Waste Management at 1-800-800-5804.
Like many homeowners, the District lost landscaping around 17 lift stations. A proposal for removing dead plants and debris and replanting the areas is under consideration by the board.
Watering Tips for June-August: Texas summers are generally hot and dry, but water conservation is always recommended. Water between Midnight and 6 AM to help maintain a consistent water pressure in our wells. Avoid short, frequent periods of watering to encourage the roots of plants and trees to seek water at lower depths. As we move into warmer weather, monitor automatic sprinkler systems, especially when you are away. Watch the weather and water smarter! For more information, check Texas A & M website at http://aggieturf.tamu.edu.
Hurricane Preparedness: Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. National Hurricane Preparedness week is May 9-15, 2021. Since Houston and surrounding areas have recently been affected by major storms, Bentwater residents must be prepared. Educational information prepared by NOAA includes the following:
- Determine your risk
- Develop an evacuation plan
- Assemble disaster supplies
- Check insurance coverage
- Strengthen your home
- Help your neighbors
More specific guidelines from NOAA regarding hurricane preparedness can be found on the MUD 18 website at www.mcmud18.com.
Section 2013 of the American Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (AWIA) requires community water systems that serve more than 3300 people to complete a risk and resilience assessment and develop an emergency response plan to the U.S.E.P.A. The MUD 18 Board has authorized Bleyl Engineering to complete the assessment by June 30, 2021.
Reminder on Encroachments and Easements: If you are new to Bentwater and/or are thinking of changing the structure of your house or yard on any Bentwater property, please review the Bentwater Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions on the POA website. Sections 2.02-2.05 deal with easements. Residents may petition the MUD 18 board for Consents to Encroachment of water, sewer, and utility easements.
Need to Report a Problem? Do not assume the problem has already been identified or reported. If you observe a water leak, sewer odor, discolored water, open manholes, alarms are sounding, or other problems, please help us by calling: Hays Utility Service @ 936-588-1166.
Hays has someone in Bentwater every day, seven days a week. They can and will respond 24 hours a day. Their general office hours are from 8:00AM to 4:30PM Monday through Friday.
Sign-up for E-Blasts: If you are not receiving our E-Blasts, you are missing out on timely information. Go to our website at www.mcmud18.com and give us your email address. Your address will not be shared with anyone. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Meetings Open to the Public:
Our regularly scheduled monthly meetings are the 3rd Tuesdays at 9:30AM in the Country Club Cypress Room. Meetings are open to the public. The agenda is posted on our web site and the message board in the breezeway entrance to the Country Club Grill near the Golf Pro-shop. During the COVID19 restrictions, meetings of MUD18 have been conducted by Zoom. If you wish to attend a meeting, please contact Susan McFarland for the meeting ID code. Minutes from meetings are published on the MUD 18 web site.
Your MUD Board:
Susan McFarland President
Lou Tichacek Vice President
Gary Montgomery Treasurer
Rex Cambern Secretary
Nancy Busen Assistant Secretary
Newsletter- Spring 2021
MUD 18 Newsletter
Spring 2021
Board of Directors: The MUD 18 Board of Directors consists of 5 members elected by registered voters in the District. No existing board terms are expiring in 2021 so no election will be held this year.
In December 2020, Rex Cambern stepped down as Board President and Susan McFarland was approved by the board as President. Mr. Cambern changed to Secretary and Gary Montgomery assumed the Treasurer position. Lou Tichacek remains Vice President and Nancy Busen as Assistant Secretary.
Annual Audit Report: Mark Eyring, CPC, PLLC, presented the annual audit to the board for the fiscal year ending on September 30, 2020. The audit was unanimously approved by the board at the January meeting. The audit is required by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The board instituted a plan to deal with expensive maintenance requirements with recourse to bond issuance. The result has been the 5-year plan with a proactive approach to finances. Financial resources are principally derived from taxes. Property taxes in the district have remained stable over the past several years. The 2020 audit confirms that the MUD 18 budget and activities are consistent with the District’s 5-Year Plan.
Sewer, Trash & Recycling: As we move into spring, please bag leaves and/or yard clean-up and tie up trimmed tree branches for garbage pick-up. When left in the street, yard debris can block sewer drains. Waste Management picks up on all holidays but Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year. If trash pick-up falls on Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year on a regularly scheduled trash/recycle day, pick-up will occur on the next regularly scheduled day. Recycle pick-up only occurs on Thursdays. If a holiday occurs on a Thursday, trash will be picked up on Monday but recycle will not be picked up until the following Thursday.
Watch the Weather and Water Smarter! Texas springs vary in weather with average temperature highs from 70 to 83 degrees and lows from 55 to 61 degrees with intermittent rain. Some springs are hot and dry while others are cool and wet. Most homeowners in the District have automatic water irrigation systems. Set automatic sprinklers to coincide with the amount of rain. Residents are encouraged to have someone monitor their watering system while they are away. For more details, check Texas A & M website at http://aggieturf.tamu.edu.
Need to Report a Problem? Do not assume the problem has already been identified or reported. If you observe a water leak, sewer odor, discolored water, open manholes, alarms are sounding, or other problems, please help us by calling: Hays Utility Service @ 936-588-1166.
Hays has someone in Bentwater every day, seven days a week. They can and will respond 24 hours a day. Their general office hours are from 8:00AM to 4:30PM Monday through Friday.
Sign-up for E-Blasts: If you are not receiving our E-Blasts, you are missing out on timely information. Go to our website at www.mcmud18.com and give us your email address. Your address will not be shared with anyone. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Meetings Open to the Public:
Our regularly scheduled monthly meetings are the 3rd Tuesdays at 9:30AM in the Country Club Cypress Room. Meetings are open to the public. The agenda is posted on our web site and the message board in the breezeway entrance to the Country Club Grill near the Golf Pro-shop. During the COVID19 restrictions, meetings of MUD18 have been conducted by Zoom. If you wish to attend a meeting, please contact Susan McFarland for the meeting ID code. Minutes from meetings are published on the MUD 18 web site.
Your MUD Board:
Susan McFarland – President
Lou Tichacek – Vice President
Rex Cambern – Treasurer
Gary Montgomery – Secretary
Nancy Busen – Assistant Secretary
Newsletter- Fall/Winter 2020-21
MUD 18 Newsletter
Fall/Winter 2020-21
Hurricane Preparedness: We are currently in the hurricane season that runs from June 1 to November 30. Considerable damage has been sustained by our neighbors in Louisiana. Bentwater residents should be prepared for the effects of major storms. Educational information prepared by NOAA includes the following:
- Determine your risk
- Develop an evacuation plan
- Assemble disaster supplies
- Check insurance coverage
- Strengthen your home
- Help your neighbors
More specific guidelines from NOAA regarding hurricane preparedness can be found on the MUD 18 website at www.mcmud.com.
Financial: As of September 2020, 99.1% of taxes have been collected for the District for 2019. The District approved the 2020 tax rate at $0.16 for debt service and $0.16 for maintenance and operations for a total tax rate at $0.32 per $100 taxable value. The tax rate for 2020 is down $0.01 from the previous year.
- Debt Service of $0.16 is down $0.01 from the previous year. The District has not needed to sell any new bonds since 2011 and such pay downs and pay offs of earlier bonds have reduced the amount required to meet Debt Service obligations.
- Maintenance and Operations (M&O) of $0.16 covers maintenance of all our facilities including water plants, waste treatment plants, lift stations, storm drainage infrastructure and distribution lines. Costs of M&O have been stable the past year.
You should receive your tax bill in October and payment is due by January 31, 2021.
Sewer, Trash & Recycling: As we move into fall, please bag leaves and/or shrub trimmings and tie up trimmed tree branches for garbage pick-up. When left in the street, yard debris can block sewer drains. Waste Management picks up on all holidays but Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year. If trash pick-up falls on Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year on a regularly scheduled trash/recycle day, pick-up will occur on the next regularly scheduled day. Recycle pick-up only occurs on Thursdays. If a holiday occurs on a Thursday, trash will be picked up on Monday but recycle will not be picked up until the following Thursday.
Winter Watering Tips: 1. Winter tips for watering: In the event of a freeze advisory, please be certain to run your irrigation to fortify your plants and flowers. It takes longer for well-watered plants to freeze. After watering, then cover all the plants and flowers that are susceptible to freeze damage. If some plants do get freeze damage, do not trim off the dead parts until late January, when most of the severe weather has passed. The dead parts will help protect the plants and flowers from another freeze. 2. The irrigation schedule can be set to once a week or less until February if the rainfall has been moderate. Contrary to popular belief, the winter is a very dry climate. The fact is that the cooling weather withdraws moisture from the plants, moisture which must be replaced to maintain your lawn and landscape in optimal condition.
In July 2020, the District approved an extension of a 12-inch waterline to be placed along FM1097 that crosses at the east end of the proposed new fire station. The new fire station will be located across from the Bentwater West Gate. The construction of the new waterline has been completed. Costs of the waterline were covered by the fire station.
Fencing additional property around Water Plant No. 1 was also completed in September.
Need to Report a Problem? Do not assume the problem has already been identified or reported. If you observe a water leak, sewer odor, discolored water, open manholes, alarms are sounding, or other problems, please help us by calling: Hays Utility Service @ 936-588-1166.
Hays has someone in Bentwater every day, seven days a week. They can and will respond 24 hours a day. Their general office hours are from 8:00AM to 4:30PM Monday through Friday.
Sign-up for E-Blasts: If you are not receiving our E-Blasts, you are missing out on timely information. Go to our website at www.mcmud18.com and give us your email address. Your address will not be shared with anyone. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Meetings Open to the Public:
Our regularly scheduled monthly meetings are the 3rd Tuesdays at 9:30AM in the Country Club Cypress Room. Meetings are open to the public. The agenda is posted on our web site and the message board in the breezeway entrance to the Country Club Grill near the Golf Pro-shop. During the COVID19 restrictions, meetings of MUD18 have been conducted by Zoom. If you wish to attend a meeting, please contact Susan McFarland for the meeting ID code. Minutes from meetings are published on the MUD 18 web site.
Your MUD Board:
Rex Cambern President
Lou Tichacek Vice President
Susan McFarland Treasurer
Gary Montgomery Secretary
Nancy Busen Assistant Secretary
Please recycle this newsletter.