AUSTIN — Seventy-eight members of LCRA's seven regional councils met to discuss electric, water and other issues important to the communities they represent at an all-day "roundup" meeting Feb. 10 at LCRA facilities in Austin.

LCRA hosted the meeting in Austin for council members to meet one another and discuss with LCRA staff such topics as water supply and drought management, electric generation and transmission operations and planning, and LCRA's financial operations.

The members of the seven regional councils represent the diverse interests of their communities in LCRA’s water and electric service areas. The council members are appointed by the LCRA Board of Directors.

"LCRA's regional councils serve as a vital communications link between LCRA and communities we serve," said Gail Oliver, LCRA manager of Public Affairs. "Council members are able to discuss with LCRA staff the challenges and issues facing local communities and let us know what local residents think about those issues."

The councils provide input and discuss regional issues related to LCRA’s mission, which is to provide energy, water and community services and to help ensure the protection and constructive use of natural resources in the lower Colorado River basin. The councils meet every two months with LCRA staff to provide feedback, help identify and analyze regional issues and consider solutions.

Representatives attended from the following councils:

• San Saba/Llano Regional Council (representing Hamilton, Kimble, Lampasas, Llano, Mason, McCulloch, Menard, Mills, San Saba counties): Terry Bray, Teresa King, David Leonard, Rob Lindsey, Martha Long, Tracey O'Shay, John Parks, James Stewart, A. Earl Theiss, Sam Warren and Robert Yantis.
• Pedernales Regional Council (representing Bandera, Blanco, Comal, Gillespie, Kendall, Kerr counties): Marianne Bonenberger, Gary Guenthner, Edgar Hullum, Tim Lehmberg, Robert W. Moss, Alfred Weinzierl, Charles Wilson and James Wright.
• Buchanan/Inks Regional Council (representing Burnet and Llano counties): Ronald Abshier, George A. Bold, Ray Buchanan, Steve Buchanan, Candace Cooke, Tom Harrison, Tyler Robertson, Jim Smitherman, William Wenson and Michael Wortham.
• LBJ/Marble Falls Regional Council (representing Burnet and Llano counties): Sylvia Breen, Bill Brooks, Joe Don Dockery, Stan Farmer, Mary Ann Hefner, Charles Henicke, Neal Kennedy, Mike Kersey, Frank Ligon, Jayne Mortensen and William Plumley.
• Travis/Austin Regional Council (representing Travis, Hays and Williamson counties): Tony Adsley, Daniel E. Arredondo, Jimmie Cypert, Roger Durden, David Gavenda, Victor Gonzales, Katherine Holtz, Warren Ketteman, Willie J. Kopecky, F. Scott LaGrone, Marceline Lasater, Hondo Powell and Mildred Schaefer.
• Bastrop/Fayette Regional Council (representing Bastrop and Fayette counties): Joe Bailey, Douglas R. Borchardt, Philip Cook, James A. Cowan, Mark Johnson, Gene Kruppa, Michael Kuck, Adena Lewis, Cathy Meek, Carol Babcock Muegge, Sherry Murphy, Rebecca Musser, Timothy Pylant, Philip A. Ruiz, Tony Tavary and Mike G. Wallace.
• Colorado/Wharton/Matagorda Regional Council (representing Colorado, Wharton, Matagorda and Lavaca (Hallettsville only) counties): Owen Bludau, Jim Brasher, Rebecca Cole Dutcher, Andres Garza, Jr., Sam Kana, Domingo Montalvo, Jr., Mike O'Day, Leeanna Shimek and William Younger.

For more information about the councils, contact Gail Oliver at 1-800-776-5272, Ext. 3596, or visit LCRA’s Web site at www.lcra.org/regionalcouncils.