Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority

Final Results of Last Sunset Review

Oversight

• Specify GBRA is subject to Sunset review, but not abolishment, again in 2031.

Management and Contracting

• Require GBRA to develop and maintain a comprehensive asset management plan and ensure the asset management process is linked to the authority’s public messaging and communications.  
• GBRA should take additional steps to centralize its procurement and contracting functions and ensure key procurement and contract management staff receive formal training.  (Management action – nonstatutory)
• GBRA should improve certain contracting activities to ensure consistency and enhance monitoring, re-evaluate professional services contracts every five years, and frequently compile updated vendor lists and best value practices.  (Management action – nonstatutory)
• Increase the statutory threshold for board approval of contracts from $10,000 to $100,000.  

Nonprofits

• Direct GBRA to consolidate the funds it provides to two of its nonprofits — the Guadalupe-Blanco River Trust and the San Antonio Bay Foundation — to one organization and clearly define expectations tied to this funding.  (Management action – nonstatutory)
• Direct GBRA to create clear boundaries and reporting structures between its staff and associated nonprofits.  (Management action – nonstatutory)
• Direct GBRA to evaluate whether the Gorge Preservation Society’s narrow mission justifies GBRA support or whether its activities could be performed internally.  (Management action – nonstatutory)
• Direct GBRA to evaluate the continuing need for relationships with any nonprofits every five years to ensure the nonprofits are achieving shared goals.  (Management action – nonstatutory)

Standard Review Elements Applied to All River Authorities 

• Direct river authorities to implement additional transparency best practices related to their websites, record retention, and financial information.  (Management action – nonstatutory)
• Make changes to GBRA, RRA, and NRA’s governing laws to facilitate future codification of those laws, such as grammatical fixes and updating outdated references.
• Apply good government standards to river authorities’ governing laws to promote accountability, transparency, and best practices relating to board practices, public testimony, complaint information, and alternative dispute resolution.
• Direct RRA and NRA to develop a policy to ensure all professional services contracts are reviewed every five years, and to frequently compile vendor lists and best value practices for cost savings.  (Management action – nonstatutory)
• Direct RRA to comply with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) rules by adopting policies related to contracting, nepotism, and granting money or property.  (Management action – nonstatutory)
• Direct GBRA and RRA to adopt a formal, written five-year strategic plan and post this plan publicly online.  (Management action – nonstatutory)