What is the MUD — and why does this election matter?

What is a Municipal Utility District (MUD)?

A Municipal Utility District is a special-purpose local government created by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). MUDs are authorized to provide water, wastewater, drainage, and other services to areas — often suburban neighborhoods — that might not otherwise have access to city infrastructure.

The Northtown MUD was created in 1985 and covers approximately 1,230 acres just east of I-35 between Austin and Pflugerville, bounded by Howard Lane to the south and Highway 685/Dessau Road to the east. It includes the neighborhoods of Northtown Park, Meadow Pointe, Wildflower, Settler's Meadow, The Lakes at Northtown, Brookfield Estates, and the Village of Northtown.

What services does the MUD provide?

More than most residents realize. The Northtown MUD provides:

• Water and wastewater (sewer) — your monthly utility bill
• Trash and recycling pickup — solid waste is picked up every Friday; recycling every other week
• Parks and recreational facilities — Stoney Creek Park, Settler's Meadow Park, Meadow Pointe Park, Wildflower Park, and connecting hike and bike trails
• Restrictive covenant enforcement — the MUD enforces deed restrictions across most of the district
• Neighborhood security patrols — the district contracts with off-duty Travis County Sheriff deputies to patrol streets and parks
• Infrastructure investment — pipes, treatment facilities, drainage systems, and long-term capital planning

What does the MUD board actually control?

The five-member elected board of directors governs the MUD. It sets policy, approves budgets, hires contractors, and makes the decisions that determine your rates, your services, and what your neighborhood looks like. Specifically, the board controls:

• Water and sewer rates — the board sets what you pay each month
• Trash and recycling contracts — who picks it up and when
• Park investment and maintenance — what gets built, upgraded, or neglected
• Contracts and vendors — who the district hires and what they're paid
• Long-term planning and bonds — how the district finances major projects
• Tax rate — MUDs can levy a property tax to fund operations and debt service

When and where does the board meet?

The Northtown MUD Board of Directors meets on the 4th Tuesday of every month at 5:45 PM at the Northtown MUD Administrative Office, located at 700 E. Wells Branch Parkway, Pflugerville, TX 78660. These meetings are open to the public — anyone can attend.

Currently, the only way to address the board is to show up in person and speak during the public comment period, which allows two minutes per resident. One of my goals as a board member is to change that.

Why has there never been a contested election in Northtown?

MUD board elections often go uncontested because most residents don't know they exist. When no one files to run against an incumbent, that incumbent stays on the board unopposed — no vote ever takes place. That's been the situation in Northtown for years.

This election is different. For the first time, residents will have a real choice.

How do I vote in the MUD election?

The Northtown MUD election will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026 — the Texas Uniform Election Date. To vote, you must be a registered voter who lives within the MUD boundaries.

• Voter registration deadline: Approximately October 4, 2026 (30 days before the election)
• Early voting: Approximately October 19–30, 2026
• Election Day: November 3, 2026

More specific voting location and early voting information will be added here as the election approaches. You can also check the Texas Secretary of State's website for official dates.

Am I actually in the Northtown MUD?

If your neighborhood is one of the following, you're almost certainly in the district: Northtown Park, Meadow Pointe, Wildflower, Settler's Meadow, The Lakes at Northtown, Brookfield Estates, or the Village of Northtown. You can also confirm by checking your water bill (it will say Northtown MUD) or your property tax statement, where MUD taxes appear as a separate line item. If you're still unsure, feel free to reach out and ask.