Within a community, especially one as busy and expanding as the City of Pearland, there are several governmental entities that a resident can turn to for assistance for ease of everyday living. What are these entities? What do they do? What makes one different from another? Below, we explain the difference in responsibilities between these three entities: MUD 26, the City of Pearland, and Shadow Creek Ranch Homowners Association (HOA).
MUD 26 Responsibilities
MUD 26 consists of several board members who regularly meet to discuss the financing, building, and execution of certain projects or initiatives to better the community of Shadow Creek Ranch. The reason that the MUD was created was to bring basic services to residents who may not otherwise have had these services readily available In addition, the MUD provides additional security patrols and handles matters related to building parks or recreational facilities that contribute to the betterment of the community.
City of Pearland Responsibilities
Once the MUD had successfully handled the financing of the water, sewer, and drainage infrastructure within the city, these facilities were built. Once they were built, they were transferred to the City of Pearland for maintenance. After financing was secured and the facilities were constructed, the City of Pearland became responsible for the provision of water and sewer services to all residents within the city.
Additional responsibilities that belong to the City of Pearland include the installation and maintenance of traffic signal systems, as well as the following:
● Animal services, such as pet adoption, licensing, microchipping, and fostering
● Emergency medical services and management, which ensure that the city’s response to an emergency or disaster is effective
● Municipal court duties to provide the administration of justice, with court case resolution
● Disposal services, including provision of waste management solutions to reduce waste and other specialized services
Shadow Creek Ranch Homeowners Association Responsibilities
The primary responsibility of the Shadow Creek Ranch HOA is to maintain the property and any common areas used by the residents of the community. This is funded by a set monthly/annual fee. Some of the maintenance responsibilities include collecting bids from contractors, arranging for inspections, and responding to emergencies. The structure and communications within the HOA involve holding meetings for members, electing and maintaining a board of directors, and communicating any decisions to homeowners, property managers, and other personnel. The HOA operates as its own independent entity, separate from the city or the MUD, in that it sets and approves its own rules, appoints its own committees, and delegates responsibilities accordingly, as well as independently reviewing complaints from residents that fall within their jurisdiction to resolve and make decisions regarding such matters.
As outlined in this brief review above, each entity (MUD 26, the City of Pearland, and the Shadow Creek Ranch Homeowners Association) has its own significant set of responsibilities that ultimately work together to ensure the highest level of safety and comfort for all residents within the community.