News Archive

 The Regular Board of Directors Meeting will be held every 4th. Tuesday of the month at 6:00 pm. 

The Franklin County Water District is pleased to announce that the open comment form is now active on the District website. It can be reached from the "About Us" menu on the website if you click on "Public Comments" and also available under the "Lake Info" menu if you click on the "Parks Comment Form". The Franklin Coun

Link to the PDF can be found here: Click Here

A public hearing on the District tax rate has been scheduled for August 15, 2023 at 5:30pm. For more information check the District website under About US and then Public Notices.To view the Public Notice: Click Here

I have been receiving questions and comments on the lake closure and its re-opening. The Board adopted a Lake Closure policy in November of 2016. The purpose of closing the lake is to protect public safety and minimize property damage. The District attempts to balance the fact that Lake Cypress Springs is a multi-use reserv

I want to remind the homeowners of requirements regarding the storing of watercraft in their boathouses.The District’s rules require that all boats be restricted, by either tie or obstruction, from floating outside the boathouse perimeter. Any boats found floating free will be removed from the lake at the owners expense.Th

The Board at its meeting last night voted unanimously to adopt the Management Recommendation to NOT do temporary or permanent lowering of the Lake Cypress Springs water service elevation for flood protection purposes. A link to the recommendation document is provided below.Management Recommendation

There have been a lot of posts being shared about an item on the District’s agenda for tomorrow’s Board meeting. I wanted to try and clear up some of the confusion and concern regarding this.The issue in question has been discussed at the last two Board meetings, which are always open public meetings. The District tries

About this time every year I get questions about the water in Lake Cypress Springs that is owned by the City of Mt Pleasant and how they go about getting access to it and what kind of effect it will have on Lake Cypress Springs.The District created a FAQ on this subject in 2017 and I am including the link below.FCWD FAQ

The Board of Directors approved the 2018 budget and the amended 2017 budget at its November meeting.2018 Budget Click Here2017 Amended Budget Click HereThe Board also retained Fox Byrd and Co for the 2017 audit and adopted a new Lake Patrol Policy and General Orders.The December Board meeting was canceled.

The Board was presented with the 2018 proposed Budget and the 2017 proposed amended Budget at the October Board meeting. No action was taken and a final vote is scheduled for the November 21st meeting.Budget Proposal:  Click hereBudget Presentation:  Click here

The presentation by Carollo Engineers of the Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) on the Emergency Spillway was originally scheduled for the October board meeting but was delayed due to Hurricane Harvey until the November board meeting. Director Dennis expressed concern that the scheduled date of the November meeting was the

The monthly meeting of the District’s Board of Directors is scheduled for Tuesday, October 17 at 6:30 pm at the District’s main office on the square in downtown Mount Vernon.The presentation of the Emergency Spillway PER has been postponed until the November Board meeting due to Hurricane Harvey and that Carollo’s offi

District Office Closed for the Columbus Day Holiday, Monday, October 9, 2017.

Check out our new dedicated Homeowner's Portal. We are trying to provide a quick access for pertinent and timely information that you, as a Homeowner, will find helpful. Take a look at it and let us know what you think and what we could add. We have some ideas ourselves and will be rolling out enhancements going forward so

A new feature on the website went live today. You can now text search all of the District's Board meeting minutes and display a printable .pdf of them. This feature can be located on the "About Us" menu on the main page.

Click here for the Proposed 2017 Budget and the Proposed 2016 Budget Amendments. Click here for the Budget Presentation from the October 18, 2016 Board Meeting.

The District hosted a public forum with the Carollo Engineering team to present conceptual structural options for the publics input. The presentation can be found on the Flood Portal section of the website with the audio of the presentation available in the Board Meeting Video section of the site.The engineering team is

Effective Monday, July 11, 2016 the moratorium on the issuance of new boathouse and pier permits is lifted. The District will accept new permit applications for the construction of piers and boathouses. The permit application form contains special provisions that will be applicable to all permits. Click HereThe public forum

The Board took no action or received any update regarding the flooding at its meeting. The General Manager reported that he anticipated being able to start issuing construction permits for boat houses in a couple of weeks. 

The Board at its May meeting approved a scope of work for a Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) for Flood Relief Project Alternatives. A copy of the approved scope along with the presentation from Carollo Engineers is available on the Flood Portal page of the Districts website. The District's legal and engineering teams ar

Permitting UpdateThe District, effective immediately, will issue construction permits for retaining walls / bulkheads. These permits will be issued with the following special considerations in addition to the Rules and Regulations. Retaining walls shall be constructed in a manner that improves the shoreline alignment, funct

The Franklin County Water District Board of Directors took another step forward in addressing the flooding events of December 2015 at its meeting on April 19. After a delay necessitated by credible threats of litigation, the Board voted to have Carollo Engineers follow up on the public forum discussion of April 5 and prepar

In response to complaints and threats of litigation that the District has received from lessees relating to the December 2015 flood events, the District put a moratorium on the issuance of construction related permits, except for dredging, water pumps, and painting/staining. This moratorium went into effect on March 3rd unti

FEMA has said it will not provide individual assistance for uninsured or under insured people affected by the December 26 flood event. The State had appealed the original decision not to provide the assistance. FEMA has reaffirmed its original decision that the event was not of the severity and magnitude to warrant the imple

As a result of recent complaints the District has received from lake lot lessees related to the flood events of December 2015, including threats of litigation, the District took no action at its Board meeting on March 22, 2016 and continues to evaluate these matters in more detail.

Floor Elevation Survey Task ongoing. Orginal hardware was not going to give accurate enough results so new equipment was necessary. Task cost increased from $12,500 to $27,500. Report results are schedule to be presented to the Board at the March 22, meeting. FEMA Flood Insurance Have made initial inquires on this issue

Presidential Disaster Declaration Granted For Texas Counties Tuesday, February 09, 2016 ⋅ Austin, Texas ⋅ Press Release On January 26th, Governor Greg Abbott requested a Presidential Disaster Declaration for 25 Texas counties due to damage sustained from the severe weather at the end of December. This morning,

The latest disaster update: the Governor's office has issued a disaster proclamation for the December 27, 2015 storm event that included the flooding in Franklin County. The Governor has formally requested a Presidential disaster declaration. This would make FEMA Individual Assistance and SBA low interest disaster loans avai

High Lake Level / Flooding Update The County Judge will be issuing a disaster declaration on the flooding at Lake Cypress Springs. This will allow residents with damage to apply for State disaster relief. Information on eligibility requirements and how to apply will be included in a followup email when the declaration

Lake Cypress Springs will open tomorrow 1-2-2016 on a restricted basis to allow lake homeowners to recover missing property, assess damage, and to start cleanup. Access to the lake will be limited to the Mary King Park boat ramp and any development or private ramps that may be open and usable. This access is not for recreati

Click here for photos of the high water on Lake Cypress Springs. See Gallery

Click here for information on the record lake level. See Notice

Click here for information on the record lake level. See Notice

Click here for information about the high water / lake level. See Notice

The District's offices will be closed tomorrow, November 11, 2015 in observation of the Veterans Day holiday. Normal hours will resume Thursday.

November 17, 2015 Board Meeting Agenda is available here.

Click here to view our 2016 Budget Proposal.

October 20, 2015 Board Meeting Agenda is available here.

The District's offices will be closed Monday, October 12, 2015 in honor of the Columbus Day Holiday.

The Franklin County Commissioner's Court reinstated the county wide burn ban effective 9-28-2015.

The Franklin County Commissioners Court has lifted the burn ban.

September 15, 2015 Board Meeting Agenda is available here.

I have received several questions as to why the District is requiring the installation of the ID tags on boathouses. The reason we are doing this is, first and foremost, to help Lake Patrol more readily and speedily locate a particular lake residence in an emergency situation. The tags will also assist the District in the in

The District's offices will be closed for the Labor Day holiday, Monday, September 7, 2015

Rumor Control I thought this rumor would die on it's own but it appears to have a "Walking Dead" type life. The rumor is that the lake level will have to be lowered so the dam can be repaired. This issue with the dam is essentially the same as the original dam remediation project. As you are aware, it was not necessar

By order of the Franklin County Commissioners Court, all outdoor burning is banned for 90 days from this date or until rescinded. See Notice

August 18, 2015 Board Meeting Agenda is available here.

July 21, 2015 Board Meeting Agenda is available here.

The fireworks show is scheduled for Saturday, July 4th at 9:30 pm.

The District's offices will be closed Friday, July 3, to celebrate the Independence Day holiday. District offices will be open for regular business Monday, July 6.

There is a photo that is going around FaceBook of an alligator and the post says it was taken at Walleye Park on Lake Cypress Springs. No alligator has been reported to District authorities in Walleye Park, and it appears that the photograph posted to Facebook was taken on Lake Pontchartrain and posted on a New Orleans news

June 16, 2015 Board Meeting Agenda is available here.

The District's offices will be closed Monday, May 25, to celebrate the Memorial Day holiday. District offices will be open for regular business Tuesday, May 26.

May 19, 2015 Board Meeting Agenda is available here.

The Fireworks show is scheduled for Saturday, July 4th at 9:30 pm.

April 21, 2015 Board Meeting Agenda is available here.

2015 Amended Rules and Regulations Lessee Letter is available here.

The approved 2014 Financial Statements and Independent Auditor's Report is now available here.

It has been brought to my attention that a rumor is going around on FaceBook that the District does not have a boat available to handle calls for service on the lake by the Lake Patrol. It appears that the Sheriff’s office was providing erroneous information to residents who were calling in to report loose watercraft. Th

The agenda for the March 17, 2015 Board of Director's Meeting is available now. Click this link for the agenda.

The District's offices will have a delayed opening because of weather on Thursday, March 5. The offices will open at 11AM.

Due to the icy weather conditions the District’s offices will be closed today, Monday, February 23. Normal hours will resume tomorrow.

The District's offices will have a delayed opening because of weather on Monday, February 23. The offices will open at 10AM.

The District's offices will be closed Monday, February 16 in honor of the President's Day holiday.

Click Here For the November 18, 2014 Board Meeting Agenda

Click Here for Revised Fee Schedule

Click here for the October 21, 2014 Board Meeting Agenda

Click here to review the current and proposed fee schedule.

Click here for the September 16, 2014 Board Meeting Agenda

The USGS did some maintenance on the lake level hardware and it has resulted in a change in the level it was showing.  This is not a major drop in lake level it is an adjustment to the equipment.

Click Here for Guidance Document

Click here for Board Meeting Agenda

Click here for a copy of the Contractor Registration mail out.

Click here to download Contractor Registration Form

A good article in the Texas Tribune on water planning and climate change.

Click here for the July 15, 2014 Board meeting agenda.

The June 17, 2014 Board meeting agenda is available.

The District's offices will be closed Monday, May 26, 2014 for the Memorial Day holiday. Will reopen Tuesday, May 27, 2014.

The May 20, 2014 Board meeting agenda is available. (Click Here)

The District's main office and maintenance facility will be closed tomorrow, March 18, 2014 for the Easter/Good Friday holiday.  Normal hours will resume on Monday, March 21.

The April 15, 2014 Board meeting agenda is available.

The March 18, 2014 Board meeting agenda is now available.

The Lake Cypress Springs fireworks show is scheduled for Saturday, July 5, 2014.

The District office and facilities will be closed all day, Monday, March 3 due to the bad weather.

The District's facilities will open late, at 10 am due to the bad weather.

The February 18, 2014 Board meeting agenda is now available.

The January 21, 2014 Board Meeting Agenda is available.

At 12:15 pm today Lake Cypress Springs reach normal conservation pool elevation of 378 feel MSL and water started to flow over the morning glory spillway.

The District's main office and maintenance facility will be closed Wednesday, January 1, 2014 for the New Years holiday.

The District's office and facilities will be closed for the Thanksgiving holidays Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29.  We will be back open Monday, December 2.

The November 19, 2013 agenda is available.

The proposed 2014 District Budget. (click for link)

Press Release regarding Franklin County Dam remediation project issues. (click for link) Due to the ongoing nature of this situation and on the advice of the District's attorneys no additional comment or statements will be issued at this time.

The October 15, 2013 Board meeting agenda is available.

All boat ramps on Lake Cypress Springs are open.

Walleye Park boat ramp is open.

The burn ban in Franklin County has been lifted. View Order

The September 17, 2013 Board meeting agenda is now available.

The Walleye and Dogwood park boat ramps are closed because of low lake levels.  Mary King park boat ramp remains closed.  Guthrie and Overlook park ramps are still open.  Exercise caution when launching boats.

Consent Agenda The Board approved the Consent Agenda as presented. Action Items A.  Board heard a request by Mr. Garrett, Lot 10, Phase 3, Panther Creek Pass Subdivision to waive or reduce an Administrative Penalty in the amount of $4,000 that had been assessed for the painting/staining of a a boathouse without a permit.

The agenda for the August 20, 2013 meeting of the Board of Directors is now available.

The Franklin County Commissioners' Court has placed a Burn Ban for Franklin County effective 08.12.2013. This Ban includes the Lake Cypress Springs area and will remain in effect for 90 days unless dropped earlier by the Commissioners' Court. No open, camp or ground fires, grilling in approved grills is allowed.

The boat ramp in Mary King Park is closed because of low water.

The agenda for the July 16, 2013 meeting of the Board of Directors is now available.

Consent Agenda The Board approved the Consent Agenda as presented. Action Items A.  Approved the Renewal of the District's Employee Health Insurance with Blue Cross of Texas. Discussion Items A.  None. Manager’s Report A.  New signage in Walleye Park.  

The agenda for the June 18, 2013 meeting of the Board of Directors is now available.

Consent Agenda The Board approved the Consent Agenda as presented. Action Items A.  Approved the Resolution Canvassing Election Returns.  Directors Jordan and Cunningham were unopposed. B.  Approved the administration of Oaths of Office for Directors Jordan and Cunningham. C.  Approved the election of Board officers

Tim Philhower is the President of the Board and the Director from Place 4.  He as been a lake front homeowner since 1996.  Mr. Philhower has been approached by lake residents expressing concern about the current status of the lake level and wanted to take some time to address these concerns.  Below is an open letter from

The agenda for the May 21, 2013 meeting of the Board of Directors is available.

The agenda for the April 9, 2013 meeting of the Board of Directors is available.

2012 Financial Statements and Independent Auditors Report

Consent Agenda The Board approved the Consent Agenda as presented. Audit Committee Meeting A.  The Board received the presentation of the 2012 Financial Statements and Independent Auditor's Report. Action Items A.  Approved the 2012 Financial Statements and Independent Auditor's Report. B.  Approved the Certificatio

The agenda for the March 19, 2013 meeting of the Board of Directors is available.

The annual Independence Day fireworks show is scheduled for Saturday, June 29, 2013 at 9:30 pm.  It will be presented from it's normal location at Mary King Park.

A presentation to the Board on Giant Salvinia in the Cypress Basin and the District Response is now available.

Consent Agenda The Board approved the Consent Agenda as presented. Action Items A.  Approved the Resolution Calling a Board of Directors Election for May 11, 2013. B.  Approved a new Inter-Local Agreement with the Franklin County Tax Assessor Collector for District Tax Collection. Discussion Items A.  Received a rep

The West End Nature Preserve is open to the public again.  This park area is open for day use only.  No vehicles are allowed.

The agenda for the February 12, 2013 meeting of the Board of Directors is available.

The District is now accepting applications until February 22, 2013, for a Part-Time Maintenance Worker position.  Check out the Careers page on the site.

Consent Agenda The Board approved the Consent Agenda as presented. Action Items A.  None. Discussion Items A.  Demonstration of Online Reservation System Manager’s Report Reported on capital improvements.

The District offices and Maintenance facility will be closed Monday, January 21, 2013 for the MLK Holiday.  Normal operations will resume on Tuesday January 22.

The agenda for the January 15, 2013 meeting of the Board of Directors is available.

The District offices and Maintenance facility will be closed Tuesday, January 1, 2013 for the New Years Holiday.  Normal operations will resume on Wednesday January 2.

The District main office and maintenance facility are closed today, December 26 due to the weather and no power.  We will be back to normal operation tomorrow.

The District main office and maintenance facility will be closed on December 24 and 25 so our team can celebrate the holidays with their families.

Quick link to sink/kitchen design specifications.

Here is a link to the letter that I sent to all lessees/homeowners about the amended rule concerning outdoor kitchens especially sinks.

Consent Agenda The Board approved the Consent Agenda as presented. Action Items A.  Adopted the 2013 Budget. B.  Amended the 2012 Budget. C.  Approved retaining Linebarger, Googan, Blair and Simpson for Delinquent Property Tax Collections. D.  Authorized the General Manager to proceed with the termination of the Le

The District offices will be closed Thursday, November 22 and Friday November 23 for the Thanksgiving Holiday.

The agenda for the November 20, 2012 Meeting of the Board of Directors is available.

The District offices will be closed Monday, November 12 for the Veterans Day Holiday.

Due to technical problems there will not be a video of the October meeting of the Board of Directors available.

The proposed budget for 2013 is available.

Consent Agenda The Board approved the Consent Agenda as presented. Action Items A.  Adopted the Engagement Letter from Fox, Byrd & Company for the 2012 audit. B.  Adopted the proposed amendments to the Policy Assessing Administrative Penalties. Discussion Items A.  Presentation of the 2013 Proposed Budget. Mana

The West End Nature Preserve is temporarily closed for construction.  We anticipate the park being closed for approximately 30 days.  Check back on the District's website for updates.

The agenda for the October 16, 2012 Meeting of the Board of Directors is available.

The District offices will be closed Monday the 8th for the Columbus Day Holiday.

The County Commissioners Court lifted the burn ban due to the rain fall this weekend.

The County Commissioners Court put a burn ban in effect today for 90 days unless repealed sooner.

Consent Agenda The Board approved the Consent Agenda as presented. Public Hearing A.  Held required Public Hearing on the proposed 2012 tax rate for debt service. Action Items A.  Adopted the 2012 Tax Rate for Debt Service of $0.0272 per $100 of value. B.  Adopted the LEMIT Model Policy on Eyewitness Identification.

The agenda for the September 18, 2012 Meeting of the Board of Directors is available.

I got the following information from Brian at Tall Tree Marina and wanted to pass it along. Tall Tree Marina has installed a Pay-at-the-Pump Fuel Dock! Fuel is now available on the water 24/7/365. Just like ordinary gas stations, all you have to do is swipe your credit card, any time of day or night. Please remember, our

Consent Agenda The Board approved the Consent Agenda as presented. Action Items A.  Set the 2012 tax rate for debt service (dam repair project) at $0.0272 per $100 of value.  The is a reduction from last years rate as the appraised values went up about 52.5 million. B.  Amended Article 9 of the Rules and Regulations r

The County Commissioners Court rescinded the Burn Ban this morning.

The agenda for the August 21, 2012 Meeting of the Board of Directors is available.

Click on the link to view the County Burn Ban Order.  This Order applies to all District Property.

The County has put a burn ban in effect.  More details will be posted when available.

I have been advised by the Tall Tree Marina that the restaurant is back open its regular hours and that fuel will be available sometime tomorrow.  If you have any questions please contact the marina directly.

The Tall Tree Marina sustained a severe lightening strike that has put most of the electronic equipment out of commission including the fuel station.  At this time fuel is not available at the marina.  They have assured the District that they are getting the damage repaired as quickly as possible.

The District has made available a list of lots for lease.  Sealed bids for these lots must be returned to the District by Friday, August 3, 2012 at 4:30 p.m.  Click on the following link to view the available lots. Lots for Lease.

The video of the July 17, 2012 Board meeting is available in the Video Gallery.

Consent Agenda The Board approved the Consent Agenda as presented. Action Items A.  Authorized the General Manager to place available lots out for lease by sealed bid. B.  Approved renewing the District's employee health insurance as presented. C.  Discussed Article 14.16 (f) of the District's Rule and Regulations re

The agenda for the July 17, 2012 Meeting of the Board of Directors is available.

The Franklin County Water District offices will be closed Wednesday, July 4 to celebrate the Independence Day Holiday

The fireworks show on Lake Cypress Springs is scheduled for Saturday, June 30th at 9:30 pm.  Have a safe and fun Independence Day holiday weekend.

Consent Agenda The Board approved the Consent Agenda as presented. Action Items A.  Approved amending Article 14 of the District's Rules and Regulations as presented. B.  Approved amending Article 17.7 of the District's Rules and Regulations as presented. Discussion Items A.  None Manager’s Report Reported on th

The agenda for the June 19, 2012 Meeting of the Board of Directors is available.

Press Release CodeRED and CodeRED Weather Warning Clients Mount Vernon, TX – 06/06/2012 – Franklin County has recently updated its account with Emergency Communications Network, providers of the CodeRED high-speed notification solution and the CodeRED Weather Warning service. This no-charge update will allow message reci

The District will be allowing personal fireworks on District property Friday June 29 through Wednesday July 4, unless there is a burn ban declared.

Consent Agenda The Board approved the Consent Agenda as presented. Action Items A.  None Discussion Items A.  Discussed amending Article 14 of the District's Rules and Regulations to include requiring a permit to apply stain, paint, or water treatment to piers and boat houses.  Instructed management to draft a propos

The agenda for the May 15, 2012 Meeting of the Board of Directors is available.

Consent Agenda The Board approved the Consent Agenda as presented. Action Items A.  Reduced Mr. Scholten's Administrative Penalty to $500 after reviewing new information. B.   Authorized the General Manager to seek proposals and to purchase a slope mower to maintain the Franklin County Dam. Discussion Items A.  None

The District will only accept permits submitted on the latest version of the permit application.  You can obtain it at the following link. Click Here

Due to policy concerns the lake level information on the front page is temporarily unavailable.  Click here to get to the USGS lake level page for Lake Cypress Springs.

The agenda for the April 17, 2012 Meeting of the Board of Directors is available.

The Franklin County Water District office will be closed for Good Friday tomorrow, April 6, 2012.

It looks like the USGS has resolved the issues.

Check out the new feature of viewing the District's Board Meetings online. Click Here

The approved 2011 Financial Statement and Independent Auditor's Report is now available.

he USGS operates the hardware that take the real time lake level reading on Lake Cypress Springs.  They are experencing problems with the satellite uplink.  At this time we do not know how long the system is going to be down.  I will provide updates on the status as USGS provides them to me.  If it looks like the outage

Consent Agenda The Board approved the Consent Agenda as presented. Audit Committee Meeting A.Heard a presentation of the 2011 Financial Statements and Independent Auditor's Report. Action Items A.  Approved the 2011 Financial Statements and Independent Auditor's Report. Discussion Items A.  None. Manager’s Report

Lake Cypress Springs lake level came up over 2 feet in a 24 hour period.  377.0' MSL on 3-20-12 at 7 am to 379.19' MSL on 3-21-12 at 7 am.

Lake Cypress Springs has reached normal pool elevation of 378 feet MSL for the first time since July 14, 2010.

The agenda for the March 20, 2012 Meeting of the Board of Directors is available.

Mary King park boat ramp is now open.  All the District's boat ramps on Lake Cypress Springs are now open.

The restaurant and fuel dock at Tall Tree Marina will be open everyday this week for spring break. Monday-Thursday 12p-5p Friday 12p-9p Saturday 9a-9p Sunday 9a-3p

According to the Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan, as adopted by the Board of Directors of the Franklin County Water District in April 2001 and amended in May 2005 and July 2006, the District has reached a termination condition for a Mild Drought Condition. Lake Cypress Springs, the District’s reservoir, ha

I first want to take a moment to express my personal and the District's sympathy to the Boltz family over the loss of Rick.  Rick succumbed after a long and hard fought battle with cancer.  Rick was the founder of the fireworks show that has been at Lake Cypress Springs for many years. It is an event that we all look forwa

The Franklin County Water District's facilities will be closed Monday, February 20, 2012 in observance of the Presidents Day Holiday.

Walleye and Dogwood Park boat ramps have reopened. The following ramps are open: Dogwood, Guthrie, Walleye, and Overlook Parks.

The agenda for the February 21, 2012 Meeting of the Board of Directors is available.

Consent Agenda The Board approved the Consent Agenda as presented. Action Items A.  Reviewed additional submissions presented by Mr. Scholten and denied the request by Scholten to waive the administrative penalty fee assessed for construction/modification of a boathouse without a permit. Discussion Items A.  None. Ma

Below is the status of Walleye camper sites with regard to the ongoing retaining wall construction in the park. Pads 1 - 12 are open. Pads 13 - 24 are open with construction between them and the water. Pads, 41-45 and 48 are temporarily out of service.

The District's facilities will be closed Monday, January 16, 2012 in honor of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

The agenda for the January 17, 2012 meeting of the Board of Directors is available.