The American Association of Special Districts congratulates the Texas Special Districts Coalition on becoming the 10th state organization in the country to formalize in service to all types of special districts in a state.
AUSTIN, Texas — Leaders in Texas special district government have formalized the Texas Special Districts Coalition (TSDC) with the mission to enhance access to governance resources and to advocate on common issues impacting special districts in communities across the state.
TSDC aims to bring together state and local special districts and district advocacy organizations representing the range of special district interests to collaborate on shared issues of concern in Austin, to offer professional and governance resources, and to facilitate a strong grassroots network of special district leaders to support state and federal level policy efforts.
The Coalition was formally established during a signing ceremony in Austin on March 27, 2025, which included co-founders representing the interests of Texas’ emergency services districts, municipal utility districts, water authority/water control & improvement districts, special utility districts, and library districts.
“Special districts are the unsung heroes of Texas’ critical infrastructure – making sure fires are out, floodwaters are controlled, water is clean, waste is disposed of, and communities are connected with the resources they need,” said Jonathan Roach, TSDC Co-Founding Member and Managing Partner of The Woodlands-based Roach & Associates, PLLC. “Our voice is loud, but has been historically splintered throughout the halls of our State Capitol. We are excited to formally bring Texas’ special district stakeholders together – as one voice – to collaborate on the many common policy issues we face.”
“Emergency services districts are focused on providing the best fire protection or emergency medical services to the people in their communities, and that covers more than 10 million Texans. Those services save property and lives,” said Clay Avery, TSDC Co-Founding Member and Executive Director of the State Association of Fire & Emergency Services Districts (SAFE-D). “SAFE-D’s involvement in TSDC will help responders across Texas – from El Paso to Beaumont – use their taxpayers’ dollars more efficiently and effectively.”
Early TSDC priorities include education among Texas lawmakers on the presence and importance of district services, safeguarding local governments’ voice in the Capitol, protecting local control, and ensuring revenue sustainability. Meanwhile, TSDC will provide a platform for connections among its membership to exchange ideas, address trending governance topics, and connect with professionals serving local government needs.
“The Texas Special Districts Coalition will serve as the new ‘town square’ for all types of special districts in our state to come together, learn from one another, and advocate for special districts on all levels,” said Erica Richardson, TSDC Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Benbrook Library District. “As one of only 15 special library districts in Texas, I am excited for what the future holds as the Coalition empowers special district leaders across the state with professional resources and strengthens our advocacy network for the betterment of all Texas’ special districts.”
As one of its early actions, TSDC moved to support forthcoming efforts led by Congressman Pat Fallon, R-Texas, and Senator John Cornyn, R-Texas, to federally-define “special districts.” The legislation aims to set the more than 3,000 special districts in Texas and more than 38,000 special district governments across the country on a more level playing field to access federally-sourced information, programs, and activities.
“We are proud to be at the ground level of this initiative to unite our state’s many special districts and connect our fellow managers and directors over common causes from Austin to Washington,” said Chris Boyd, TSDC Co-Founder and General Manager of Mustang Special Utility District. “I applaud my fellow special district leaders for the work that has been put into this effort and look forward to further collaborating with local district leaders elsewhere in Texas.”
TSDC’s formation is momentous not only for Texas’ special districts, but also for the nation as Texas becomes the tenth (10th) state in the nation to formally organize an umbrella organization aimed at uniting the various types of districts onto a single platform.
The approximately 3,000 special districts in Texas play a significant role in providing critical and essential services to millions of Texans – including water, wastewater, emergency response, water conservation, management, library, hospital, irrigation, flood control, mosquito control, ports, jails, and more – in all but one of Texas’ 254 counties.
For more information on the Texas Special Districts Coalition’s foundation or to learn how to get involved, please contact Jonathan Roach at Admin@TexasSDC.com.
Source: Texas Special Districts Coalition Press Release – April 1, 2025