Consider and approve a Discretionary Exemption for: Utility Construction Services Study Agreement with CenterPoint Energy Houston, LLC in the amount of $275,000.  Authorize pre-payment and check pick up by Robert Castaneda, MCTRA Operations Manager, or by Devin Padilla, MCTRA Financial Analyst.  Funding source to be 2026 MCTRA Revenue Bonds. The item should be considered as an exempti

Staff Report & Agenda Item Details

Consider and approve a Discretionary Exemption for: Utility Construction Services Study Agreement with CenterPoint Energy Houston, LLC in the amount of $275,000.  Authorize pre-payment and check pick up by Robert Castaneda, MCTRA Operations Manager, or by Devin Padilla, MCTRA Financial Analyst.  Funding source to be 2026 MCTRA Revenue Bonds. The item should be considered as an exemption, described by Tex. Loc. Gov’t Code Ann. Sect. 262.024(a)(7)(C) as “A contract for the purchase of any of the following items is exempt from the requirement established by Section 262.023 if the commissioner court by order grants the exemption: an item that can be obtained by only one sole source, including: electric power, gas, water, and other utility services.”

This motion is scored as EXPANDS_GOVERNMENT (Impact Weight: 8.7/10). Under the Bastiat Liberty Watchdog Index, measures that increase tax rates or fee schedules, issue new debt or Certificates of Obligation, expand regulatory/zoning restrictions on private land use, or authorize unbudgeted spending expansions reduce an official's Freedom Score when voted YES (and reward dissenting NO votes).