Transparency in Government
BCRAGD gladly complies with Texas transparency standards set by the Texas Comptroller’s office. The District was recognized for it’s efforts in 2021 by being awarded the Traditional Finance Star for financial transparency.
Traditional Finances Star Certificate – Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District
In continuation of this practice, BCRAGD is actively working on achieving one of the new Texas Transparency Stars.
BCRAGD Budget and Financial Process
Our District has a nine-member elected board representing the entire county. Fiscal year budgets are proposed and voted on in an open meeting after public hearings. These votes are conducted in accordance with all posting and public hearing requirements of Chapters 36 and 49, the Water Code, and the Open Meetings Act. The approved budget contains line items clearly outlining potential annual expenditures. Our tax rate, current budget, and financial audit are public information and readily available on the District’s website.
All expenditures of the District are authorized by the Board approved budget. The District maintains and adheres to a Finance Management Policy and Public Funds Policy dictating the management of District finances. The Board reviews the finances and expenditures of the District at a minimum on a quarterly basis during an open meeting. The complete check registry is supplied to the Board for review. When warranted, during an open meeting, the Board will amend the budget to reflect actual costs to date and projected future costs. The budget can only be amended by Board action in an open meeting.
The District has a number of policies implemented to safeguard District finances and promote transparency. The District maintains both a Finance and Budget committee manned by appointed Board members. The District appoints an employee as the Public Funds Officer, overseeing District investments to ensure accordance with the Public Funds Investment Act and best management practices. The Financial Officer reports quarterly to the Board of Directors in an open meeting.
The District employs an outside bookkeeper to review District finances, produce a quarterly budgetary performance report, and reconcile the check registry. In addition, the District has an outside auditor produce a yearly financial audit of District finances, which is reviewed and accepted by the District Board in an open meeting.
The per capita figures are based on Bandera County’s estimated population of 22,637 for 2023.
Check Registers
Budgets, Tax Rates, & Financial Audits
Annual Report
Bandera County Population Estimate. 22,637 as of July 1, 2023.
Public Information Request
Should you require any information that is open to the general public we merely ask that you fill out a Public Information Request form and email it to our Public Information Coordinator at dirvin@bcragd.org or personally deliver to our office and we will gladly fulfill the request.