G.4 • WATER_DISTRICTEdwards Aquifer Authority (Bexar County)

Consider recommendation from the Permits/Enforcement Committee to approve a forbearance agreement with Larry V. Emerson and Michael E. McHugh for Edwards groundwater withdrawal rights for the Voluntary Irrigation Suspension Program Option in support of th

Presented in: Edwards Aquifer Authority - Board of Directors (August 11, 2026) on 2026-08-11

Official Roll-Call Vote

Restrains Gov't • 4.3/10 Impact Weight

PASSED (16 - 0)

“A motion was made by Director Gilleland, seconded by Director Cargil, the board approve a VISPO forbearance agreement for permitted Edwards groundwater rights between the EAA and Larry V. Emerson and Michael E. McHugh in the total amount of not less than $20,750.69 and not to exceed $82,234.21 for the Voluntary Irrigation Suspension Program Option in support of the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conserva”

Luana Buckner

President

YES

Rachel Sanborn

Director, District 1 (District 1)

YES

Maggie Hutchins-Wagner

Director, District 2 (District 2)

YES

Steve Cargil

Director, District 3 (District 3)

YES

Rader Gilleland

Director, District 4 (District 4)

YES

Deborah Carington

Director, District 5 (District 5)

YES

J Carnes

Director, District 6 (District 6)

YES

Randall Perkins

Director, District 7 (District 7)

YES

Byron Miller

Director, District 8 (District 8)

YES

Matthew Hoyt

Director, District 9 (District 9)

YES

Scott Yanta

Director, District 10 (District 10)

YES

Carol Patterson

Director, District 11 (District 11)

YES

Gary Middleton

Director, District 12 (District 12)

YES

Russell Persyn

Director, District 13 (District 13)

YES

Enrique Valdivia

Director, District 14 (District 14)

YES

Benjamin Youngblood III

Director, District 15 (District 15)

YES

Staff Report & Agenda Item Details

A motion was made by Director Gilleland, seconded by Director Cargil, the board approve a VISPO forbearance agreement for permitted Edwards groundwater rights between the EAA and Larry V. Emerson and Michael E. McHugh in the total amount of not less than $20,750.69 and not to exceed $82,234.21 for the Voluntary Irrigation Suspension Program Option in support of the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan, and authorizing the General Manager to execute the Agreement. The motion passed without opposition.

Bastiat Liberty & Property Rights Analysis

This motion is scored as RESTRAINS_GOVERNMENT (Impact Weight: 4.3/10). Under the Bastiat Liberty Watchdog Index, voting YES on measures that cap or reduce ad valorem tax burdens, expand taxpayer exemptions, retire debt early, enforce competitive bidding caps, or remove regulatory/zoning barriers to private property rights earns a positive Pro-Liberty score.