Without the sewer authority, he will have to take alternative steps.

These residents were concerned that the tax base of the area's sewer authority was being eroded.

But he went on to criticize the county's proposals to spread debt over more years and to create a sewer authority.

Fuller was a consultant to cities, water agencies and sewer authorities for 34 years.

Without the sewer authority, he said, the county faces "more draconian measures than have already been proposed" to close its budget gap.

He is making progress with the unions, he said today, but the sewer authority has proved elusive.

It owes the sewer authority more than $10,000.

He said he remained optimistic on the sewer authority.

He is pressing the state to authorize a sewer authority, to save $25 million a year by refinancing existing debt.

Houston Water and Sewer Authority, $100 million in short-term securities.