Friday, April 26, 2024
The Commissioners Court this week appointed Jarrod Reynolds to the board of the Upper Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (UTGCD), snubbing incumbent Mike Massey, who had applied to serve another term.
Reynolds’ appointment is effective today.
There has been controversy over the UTGCD’s proposed permanent rules, which have not yet been adopted. The UTGCD encompasses Hood, Montague, Wise and Parker counties.
During Tuesday’s regular meeting of the Commissioners Court, no one mentioned the months of tension between the UTGCD and county officials. The discussion and vote took only three minutes.
There were three candidates for the board seat but none was referred to by name before the vote was taken.
Precinct 1 Commissioner James Deaver nominated candidate No. 1, which was Reynolds. Precinct 3 Commissioner Bruce White seconded the motion.
Precinct 2 Commissioner Ron Cotton nominated candidate No. 2, which was Massey, but his motion died for lack of a second.
It was announced after the vote was taken that the winning candidate was Reynolds.
County Judge Ron Massingill announced that Reynolds was appointed by a 3-2 vote, but this apparently was a mistake. Cotton stated on Wednesday that the vote was actually 4-1, with him being the lone dissenter.
Cotton explained that he had supported another term for Massey because of Massey’s knowledge and his experience on the UTGCD board.
Cotton said that he worked with Massey when he (Cotton) was a member of the Acton Municipal Utility District board.
Of Reynolds, Cotton said, “He’s not a bad choice, don’t get me wrong. He has all kinds of credentials. He’s going to be just fine.”
According to copies of applications that the HCN received through Open Records, Jim Jarratt was the third applicant. He serves on the city of Granbury’s Capital Improvements Advisory Committee and the Municipal Utilities Advisory Board.
“There wasn’t a bad candidate,” Cotton noted.
Reynolds is a Lipan farmer and civil engineer who has worked for SouthWest Water Company.
kcruz@hcnews.com | 817-573-7066, ext. 258
