San Antonio River Authority

San Antonio River Authority

Abbreviation	SARA
Formation	1937
Type	Government-owned corporation
Purpose	Water conservation and reclamation
Headquarters	100 East Guenther Street, San Antonio, Texas, 78204
Region served	Bexar, Goliad, Karnes, and Wilson counties, Texas
General Manager	Derek E. Boese
Main organ	Board of Directors
Website	http://www.sara-tx.org/

In 1917, the voters of Texas, in recognition of the importance of developing and conserving the State's water resources, passed a Constitutional amendment allowing the Legislature to create special purpose political subdivisions generally known as river authorities. These people are appointed by the State to serve regional areas, generally coincidental with river basins. This act was also a solution inspired by the problems brought by devastating floods of 1913 and 1914.

The San Antonio River Authority (SARA), created in 1937, is one of many such active river authorities in the State of Texas. Its jurisdiction covers 3,658 square miles—all of Bexar, Wilson, Karnes and Goliad Counties.

SARA is governed by a 12-member board of directors. Six directors are elected from Bexar County and two are elected from each of the three other counties, with each elected member serving for six years. Policies established by the Board are executed by the management under the direction of a General Manager appointed by the organization. SARA has the statutory authority to impose an ad valorem tax for planning, operations and maintenance purposes only. Its tax is statutorily limited to two cents per $100 of assessed property valuation. The FY 2015-2016 ad valorem tax rate is set at $0.01729 per $100 assessed valuation and the amended 2017-2018 budget is $241.7 million.

Dams and reservoirs

SARA operates 13 dams in Karnes County and all 26 dams in Bexar County.

SARA also provides project assistance in maintaining and improving the famed San Antonio River Walk.

External links

• Official website
• The University of Texas at San Antonio houses a collection of records consisting of reports, project materials, correspondence, maps, surveys, minutes and photographs. Also included are newspaper clippings, publications including SARA newsletters, magazines, and brochures. Historical research materials in the collection include photographs and documentation of the flood of 1921 as well as photographs of activity of the San Antonio River during the early part of the 20th century.