The private company that won Howe's sewer franchise last month wants to hand it to a related-name company, and the City Council takes up the request at its 6 p.m. meeting tonight at Summit Gardens, 100 E. O'Connell St.
Under the agenda, council members will first meet in closed session with the city's attorneys about a request from BVRT II, LLC to assign its Ordinance No. 833B franchise and agreement over to BVRT II Water Utility Company, LLC.
The posted item says that discussion covers the effect on the city's rights and obligations under the franchise and on a sewer certificate case pending before the Public Utility Commission of Texas.
Back in open session, the council can approve or deny a resolution consenting to the assignment. The resolution would attach conditions, including signing and filing an instrument of assignment and assumption, and would authorize the mayor to sign the documents.
A state case still waiting on paperwork
The PUC case, Docket No. 58914, was opened Oct. 29, 2025, when BVRT II Water Utility Company and the City of Howe jointly asked the commission to move the city's sewer facilities and its state service certificate to the company.
On Dec. 19, 2025, an administrative law judge found the application administratively incomplete and deficient. Under the commission's rules, the order said, an application is not considered filed until it is ruled complete. Since then the judge has granted a dozen extensions of deadlines in the case.
In an Oct. 12 filing, the company's lawyers wrote that the company has been talking with commission staff about parts of the application, that the company had supplied documentation staff requested approving the transfer of Howe's certificate, and that staff needed more time to review it.
Order No. 14, signed Oct. 13, gives staff until Oct. 26 to file a new recommendation on whether the application and notice are complete.
