Flower Mound may deny payment of $5.27 million bill

By Ellena Fortner

Star-Telegram Staff Writer

The feud between Flower Mound and Upper Trinity Regional Water District officials will likely flare up after Monday's Town Council meeting.

The council will consider a resolution to deny payment of a $5.27 million bill from Upper Trinity. In October, Upper Trinity officials mailed the bill, saying it was the result of costly project delays caused by the town and for time spent by Upper Trinity staff answering the town's questions.

Town officials said Friday that their requests for a more detailed accounting of the bill have not been answered. Upper Trinity sent a letter Jan. 3 that was meant to clarify the matter, but town officials called it lacking.

"It would be like receiving a bill in the mail typed on plain paper asking for an exorbitant amount of money," Mayor Jody Smith said.

"We want them to know that we have no intention of paying the bill."

In the past, district officials said most of the amount -- $4.4 million -- came from delays in the construction of the Tom Harpool Regional Water Treatment Plant in northeast Denton County that were caused by Flower Mound.

The bill is only the latest flare-up between the town and the water district.

They disagree over the construction of Lake Ralph Hall in Fannin County. Other towns have begun to question the project as well.

And Upper Trinity recently considered a new bylaw that would have limited what member officials could say outside of meetings. Flower Mound officials said the bylaw was aimed at them. Other cities also opposed it, and the board defeated the measure.

Smith said Flower Mound wants to get along with Lewisville-based Upper Trinity, which supplies water for 21 member communities. Flower Mound is the largest member.

"We are trying to come to the table and talk," she said.

"We've made some progress, but it seems there are so many issues out there."

IN THE KNOW

If you go

Flower Mound Town Council meeting, 6 p.m. Monday, Town Hall, 2121 Cross Timbers Road, Flower Mound.

For information, call (972) 874-6000.

Ellena Fortner, (817) 685-3888 emorrison@star-telegram.com