Seated (L-R) Bob Lowry-Director, LBJ MUD; Ed Ayers-President, LBJ-MUD; Bob Lambert-Mayor. Standing (L-R) Bill Lane-Police Chief; Danny Wooten-Fire Chief; Bob Stephenson-Director, LBJ MUD; Don Wood-Alderman; Toni Vanderburg-Administrative Manager, LBJ MUD and City Secretary; Ralph Herter-Director, LBJ MUD; Buddy Schrader-Alderman; Mike Thuss- General Manager, LBJ MUD; Jim Babcock-Alderman; John Bird-Alderman; and Glenn Jones-Utility Manager, LBJ MUD.

The purpose of this article is to 1) acknowledge the service the District has provided for us, 2) give you an opportunity to know some key staff members, 3) acknowledge the employees of the District, soon to become City employees and 4) again thank the District Board of Directors.

The District was founded on December 1, 1971 to provide water, wastewater, recycled water, and solid waste utility operations as well as emergency medical, police, and fire protection to the Horseshoe Bay area. Since the District’s creation, Horseshoe Bay has been served well by the District’s elected Board of Directors and its staff.

The District has had only five Presidents: David Martin, James Huie, Pete Dysert, Jim Short, and Ed Ayers.

Ed Ayers has been a Director since May 1998 and became President of the Board in May 2000. He and fellow Directors Ralph Herter, Bob Lowry, Bob Stephenson, and former Director, and now City Alderman Don Wood, have many significant accomplishments while supporting Horseshoe Bay. They have:

Increased the size and quality of the Horseshoe Bay Police force such that it has been recognized as the best police force in the region by other Chiefs, has the latest state of the art equipment, and the capacity to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Increased the size and quality of the Horseshoe Bay Fire Department such that our ISO rating has improved to a rating of four, which has a very positive impact on home insurance premium rates. The Department retains an excellent reputation in the region, and has the latest state of the art equipment. Jeff Isom, a Horseshoe Bay Fire Fighter, was named this year’s Hill Country 100’s best full time fire fighter for the year of 2005.

Constructed two modern water treatment plants – increasing the capacity of the District to deliver high quality potable water now and into the future, anticipating higher state requirements over the next several years.

Placed the District in a most favorable financial position such that it has a six-month operating reserve fund, cash reserves to complete capital infrastructure projects without raising debt levels, and a cash flow plan to pay off its water plant construction debt several years early.

And most impressively – the Board has done all this while lowering the property tax from 66 cents per $100 valuation to 50 cents per $100 valuation – a 25% reduction in taxes!



The Board of Directors has also recruited and developed a distinguished staff. These include:

General Manager – Mike Thuss – has 38 years of public sector management experience and is a licensed professional engineer. He has been the CEO of the San Antonio Water System and the Director of a 3000 person Federal organization. He has a Master Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley; and a BS degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point. He and his wife Patty are residents of Horseshoe Bay.

Administrative Manager – Toni Vanderburg – who is also the City Secretary, joined the District in February of 2000 and has 20 years of administrative, accounting and office management experience.

Police Chief – Bill Lane – is in his seventh year with the District, coming to us with 28 years of experience in law enforcement. He holds an AA degree in business administration with 100+ additional college hours in Constitutional Law and Police Administration. He also holds a Masters Certificate in Texas and an Executive Certificate in New Mexico, the highest classifications available. He and his wife Judi, who works for the Horseshoe Bay Property Owners Association, are residents of Horseshoe Bay.

Fire Chief – Danny Wooten – has been with the District for five years. He has another 15 years of experience with the Kerrville Fire Department where he was battalion chief. He has been a firefighter, engine driver, lieutenant, and fire marshal. He holds Advanced Firefighters and Arson Investigators Certificates. He is a state certified peace officer. Chief Wooten is a resident of Horseshoe Bay.

And the new Utility Manager – Glenn Jones – has ten years of utility experience with the City of Bryan, is an engineer in training, and has a Civil Engineering degree from Texas A&M University.

There are 55 members of the Districts staff who provide award-winning service year round to the Citizens of Horseshoe Bay. An organization’s reputation is built on the people they keep. The City is very fortunate to have these people on our team.

The City Council of Horseshoe Bay, on the behalf of the citizens of Horseshoe Bay, extend their deepest thank you and sincere appreciation for the many years of commendable public service provided by past Boards of Directors and staff of the Lake LBJ Municipal Utility District. And more specifically – the current Board of Directors – President Ed Ayers, Vice-President Ralph Herter, Secretary Bob Lowry, and Director Bob Stephenson for their selfless devotion to Horseshoe Bay and the professional and competent manner in which they have conducted the transition from the District to the City – all for the continued betterment of all of us.

By, Buddy Schrader Public Information Officer

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