Strategic Plan Review

III. Legislative Report. The agency lobbyists (Carriage House) provided a summary of the 2017 Texas Legislative Session. Comments and suggestions for future legislative-related activities stemming from the presentation are provided below. • Agency should begin the process of moving from under the stipulations of SB36. This needs to be a streamlined process and it will probably take at least two legislative sessions to complete. • Increase the use of video technology to highlight agency issues to the Texas Legislature. Visual images carry more weight and impact when making a case to Legislative members. • The discussion of abandoned wells should be enhanced to include discussions of urban wells. • General Manager will explore these potential actions, along with the lobbyists, and come back to the Board of Director Executive Committee with recommendations. IV. Strategic Plan Update . The Board of Directors received a strategic plan update through presentations by the EAA staff. Comments and discussion points are summarized below. A. Organizational Effectiveness. The involve EAA Strategic Goals E, F, G, and H. • The creation of a minority contracting participation policy should be considered. Set a timetable for establishing the policy. • Explore avenues for expanding early recruitment of women and minorities. The use of universities and other educational organizations may provide some access. • Raise awareness of EAA programs and services. Consideration should be given to the development and use of podcasts. • Enhance public engagement in events and activities. These should be emphasized to maximize participation. • Use the agency news clipping report more effectively. • Data management should be improved. Water resource information should be collected properly and archived in manner that is user friendly for our staff and citizens. B. Aquifer Management and Protection. This involves EAA Strategic Goals A, B, C, and D. • Enforcement may be redefined as a process approach. Agency will contemplate separating the compliance and enforcement functions. • There may be multiple enforcement tools. These may include administrative assessment, responsive regulation, use of market forces (liens, etc.). • Regarding scientific activity, increase the use of uncertainty analysis. This type of modeling gives a better understanding of the Edwards Aquifer system. • Scientific modeling allows for planning actions strategically in the out-years. V. Writing Wall. During the session, a writing wall was created for Board of Directors to identify any additional agency issues. Comments provided are outlined below. • Critical Period. Different critical period stage numbers remain a problem. The agency tends to lose engagement, understanding, and awareness when this causes people to tune out because of conflicting information. Clarification in carrying out policy is needed.

Round Top Consulting Associates 10/2017

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