Citizens Against Ellis County Muds discuss Shankle Rd.
ELLIS COUNTY – According to Ernie Martinek, the Shankle Road and Citizens Against Ellis County MUDs conversations continue.
In a timeline of the Shankle Road MUD and Citizens Against Ellis County MUDs actions, it began on Dec. 4, 2022, when a petition was published in a local paper “on one of the last pages so it would go unnoticed,” Martinek explained. “Fortunately, a neighbor noticed and started making phone calls.”
From that day in December to earlier this week on Feb. 1, 2025, when CAECM filed a motion with TCEQ to reconsider approval of WWTP, much has taken place regarding Shankle Road.
In December 2022, a Citizens Against Ellis County MUDs, Inc. 5013C was formed.
Last week, 80-plus people attended a meeting on the Shankle Road MUD topic, and Martinek spoke on the latest developments regarding rulings for the Shankle Rd MUD permit. This permit was denied by TCEQ, but the Wastewater Permit was approved by TCEQ.
Last week’s meeting was further discussing viable options moving forward.
For explanation of MUD, according to Martinek a Municipal Utility District or MUD is a special district that functions as an independent limited government. It also has the power to tax the residents of that MUD.
The purpose is for developers to have an alternate way to finance infrastructure such as water, sewer, drainage, and roads.
Regarding wastewater treatment facilities in Texas, the TCEQ approves the MUD separately from those facilities.
Currently there are over 28 Municipal Utility Districts that have made applications for approval from the TCEQ.
Reportedly, the Citizens Against Muds, which also include not only Shankle Road but also Butcher Road, West Side, Risinger and Palmetto have noted some MUDs are now asking to establish wastewater treatment plants next to existing neighborhoods.
“MUDS negatively affect all Ellis County residents,” Martinek sent in an email. “The County has spent over $350,000 taxpayer dollars in legal fees trying to protect Ellis County citizens from issues that Muds create regarding schools, roads, flooding, taxes, hidden MUD fees. etc.”