In this edition of news from HPWD:

• HPWD Board Adopts the 2026 No-New-Revenue Tax Rate
• Board Cancels November 3 Elections in Precincts 1, 2 & 5
• Welcome Megan Metzig to the HPWD Team
• Hi-A Corn Field Day Highlights
• Conservation Reminder
• Waste Reminder
• Administratively Complete Permit Applications
• Upcoming Events
• Texas Water News and Drought Update

HPWD Board Adopts the 2026 No-New-Revenue Tax Rate

The Board of Directors adopted the 2026 ad valorem no-new-revenue tax rate at the September 8th regular meeting. The 2026 rate is $0.002976 per $100 valuation.

All truth-in-taxation documents and the tax rate calculation worksheet are published on our website.

Board Cancels November 3 Elections in Precincts 1, 2 & 5

At its September 8 meeting, the HPWD Board of Directors approved an order canceling the November 3, 2026, election for District Directors' Precincts 1, 2, and 5.

Under the Texas Election Code, an election may be canceled when all candidates are unopposed, no write-in candidates have filed, and no propositions are scheduled to appear on the ballot. As of the August filing deadlines, only the incumbent directors filed for these positions. Because the incumbent candidates were unopposed, they are declared duly elected under the Texas Election Code. 

The following directors were duly elected:

Brandon Patschke, Lubbock, was re-elected as Precinct 1 Director, representing the portion of Crosby County within the district and all of Lubbock and Lynn Counties.

Brad Heffington, Littlefield, was re-elected as Precinct 2 Director, representing the portion of Hockley County within the district and all of Cochran and Lamb Counties.

Jeremy Reed, Kress, was elected as Precinct 5 Director, representing the portion of Floyd County within the district and all of Hale and Swisher Counties.

Welcome Megan Metzig to the HPWD Team

HPWD is pleased to welcome Megan Metzig, who joined the HPWD staff as Accounting Assistant on September 1, 2026. Megan is currently training to become the accounting successor to Tammy Anderson.

A native of Ropesville, Texas, Megan graduated from Texas Tech University, earning both a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting and a Master of Science (M.S.) in Accounting from the Rawls College of Business. During her time at Texas Tech, she was also accepted into the university's Business Leadership Program.

Megan gained valuable professional experience as an Audit Intern with Ernst & Young before beginning her career with Bolinger, Segars, Gilbert & Moss, LLP. She started as an Audit Associate and was later promoted to Senior Audit Associate. In addition to her academic and professional accomplishments, Megan has obtained her Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license.

We are pleased to have Megan as the newest member of the HPWD staff and look forward to the experience, knowledge, and leadership she brings to the organization.

Hi-A Corn Field Day Highlights

AgriLife Field Day Highlights High-Anthocyanin and Non-GMO Corn Opportunities

Producers, researchers, and industry partners gathered at the Texas A&M AgriLife Halfway Station in Plainview on August 12 for the AgriLife Hi-A Corn and Non-GMO Corn Hybrid Genetics and Management Field Day. The event showcased advancements in high-anthocyanin (Hi-A) and non-GMO corn breeding, production, and commercialization.

The event spotlighted the work of Dr. Wenwei Xu, a recipient of numerous HPWD Research and Demonstration Grants, who is leading efforts to develop stress-tolerant Hi-A sweet corn for high-value production under limited irrigation.

Participants toured strip trial plots and learned about Texas A&M AgriLife-developed hybrid varieties, hearing firsthand from researchers and producers about field performance and seed production. Presentations highlighted the potential of high-value corn crops to support water conservation efforts while creating new market opportunities for growers.

Indoor sessions focused on the journey from plant breeding to consumer products, including discussions on healthy food and feed applications, organic and conventional non-GMO corn production strategies, and innovative uses for Hi-A corn byproducts.  Joe Longoria, president of CASA RICA Tortillas in Plainview, discussed the commercial production of Hi-A corn chips and tortillas.  These products should be offered soon in regional markets.

HPWD General Manager Jason Coleman, P.E., presented “High-Value Corn for Water Conservation,” addressing the challenges producers face as water resources become increasingly limited and examining the economic value of water in agricultural production. Coleman emphasized the importance of Dr. Xu's research in developing drought-tolerant, short-season hybrids that can help conserve groundwater while supporting sustainable and profitable farming operations. He noted that innovative, high-value crops may play an important role in helping producers adapt to declining water availability in the region.

The program also included a taste-testing session featuring Hi-A corn chips, tortillas, and fresh ears, allowing attendees to experience firsthand the flavor, quality, and consumer appeal of these specialty crops. The field day reinforced the importance of collaboration among researchers, producers, industry leaders, and water conservation partners in expanding markets for value-added agricultural products while promoting sustainable production practices.

Conservation Reminder

During periods of extreme heat and dry conditions, consider these drought-friendly lawn care tips to help conserve water:

Drought-Friendly Lawn Tips

• Mow higher: Taller grass shades the soil, helping it retain moisture and reducing water loss.
• Skip fertilizer: Fertilizing during hot, dry weather encourages new growth when the lawn is trying to conserve energy and water.
• Expect dormancy: Brown grass is not necessarily dead. During drought conditions, many lawns go dormant to survive and will often green up again when cooler temperatures and rainfall return.

Remember: A little patience can save a lot of water. Allow your lawn to adapt naturally to dry conditions and focus on maintaining its health rather than keeping it perfectly green.

Looking for more ways to save water? HPWD offers additional waterwise landscaping tips and resources on our website.

Waste Reminder

 Help Prevent Water Waste

Avoid water runoff from your lawn by properly adjusting your sprinkler system and regularly checking for broken or misaligned sprinkler heads.

Water waste is prohibited under Chapter 36 of the Texas Water Code and the rules of the High Plains Water District (HPWD).

For questions about preventing water waste or to learn more about water conservation, contact the High Plains Water District at (806) 762-0181.

Administratively Complete Permit Applications 

 Upcoming Events

View the HPWD Calendar of events.

 This is Texas Water Campaign

• Visit thisistexaswater.org for more information and use the ZIP code lookup tool to find your primary water source, projected community water needs, and actions being taken to prevent shortages.

Texas Water News and Drought Updates 

• Lubbock city council passes non-binding resolution regarding data centers within city limits
• Perry: Produced water desalination is the future of water supply in Texas
• 'They're coming after our water': East Texas farmers push for groundwater conservation district.
• Data centers want to be sustainable, panelists say. Transparency also in demand.
• The drought conditions map and monthly outlook have been updated.