During this past year we continued to grow at a fast pace. Membership grew from 28,857 members as of 12/31/04 to 30,643 members as of 12/31/05, an increase of 1,786 members.
During 2005 we completed construction on the Emergency Interconnect Project-Phase 2 which was funded by the Texas Water Development Board. This project provides a more dependable raw water connection to the Delta Lake Irrigation District for two of Corporation's water treatment plants. Also, construction began on the Willacy Co. Empowerment Zone Project which should be completed sometime this spring. Construction should begin on the Hidalgo Co. Empowerment Zone Project Phase I sometime this summer. Last year we began building a 2 million gallon per day reverse osmosis treatment plant in Cameron Co. This plant is a joint project with the East Rio Hondo WSC and the City of Primera. During 2006, we should complete the construction of two - 3 million gallon per day reverse osmosis treatment plants, both located in Hidalgo Co.
During 2005, we purchased a tract of land that will be the site for the North Weslaco wastewater project. This project will be funded by U.S.D.A. and involves constructing a new wastewater treatment plant and a collection system that will serve the area north of Weslaco. This project will connect about 1,000 customers and will bring in additional revenues for the Wastewater Department.
We continue to oppose the BFI landfill expansion located'/4 mile from our main water treatment plant and reservoir. We won our jury trial in District Court in 2002, but we still have to go through the appeals process at the Appeals Court in Corpus Christi.
Beginning in January 2006, we will begin charging a monthly fuel surcharge based upon the customer's water usage. This surcharge will change monthly and will be based upon the fuel surcharge that is charged to us by the power companies that supply electricity to our treatment plants. If this surcharge had been in effect during 2005, the monthly charge would have ranged from $.01 to $.10 per 1,000 gallons used.
At this year's annual meeting, there will be an election held for the terms of three board members.
The nominating committee met on 12/13/05 and nominated the following persons;
District 1 - Randy Miller
District 2 - Dennis Goldsberry
District 3 - Derrick Swanberg
Also, an amendment to the By-Laws that changes the Annual Meeting date from the last fourteen days in February to the last fourteen days in March will be considered and voted on.
As usual, at this year's annual meeting, we will have a drawing to give away a 2003 Ford Ranger pick-up truck. Everyone who returns a proxy card or is in attendance at the meeting will be eligible for the drawing, except for board members and employees of the Corporation.
The Board of Directors, management staff and employees appreciate your past support and we look forward to serving you this coming year.
Thank-you.