Skip to main content

NOTICE: You have clicked on a link that leaves the New Braunfels Utilities website and you will be redirected to a third-party website. New Braunfels Utilities provides this link for your convenience for purely informational purposes and makes no representations nor has any supervision or control over the quality, content, reliability, or security of the third-party website. By clicking on this link, you do so entirely at your own risk and subject to the terms and conditions of use for the third-party website.

Cancel Accept

Community Advisory Panel

New Braunfels Utilities is pleased to announce the formation of the Community Advisory Panel — an initiative designed to foster greater collaboration, enhance communication, and promote community engagement.

The Community Advisory Panel is an evolution of the Rate Advisory Committee. It will provide a forum for the community to offer diverse views and feedback on topics of significance to help shape the future of NBU and the community we are privileged to serve.

Membership

The Community Advisory Panel consists of 13 members, with membership reflecting a balanced representation of the NBU service area. The New Braunfels City Council nominated seven numbers, the NBU Board of Trustees nominated four, and two at-large participants were selected through an application process and nominated by the NBU Board of Trustees.

A photo of the members of the 2024 Community Advisory Panel.
Community Advisory Panel Members
Justin Meadows, ChairStuart Blythin, Co-Chair
Dr. Les ShephardMark Hampton
Dr. Michael Patrick Harrington, PhDBobby Avary
Darren HillJonathan Packer
Ian PerezAlice Jewell
Chris SniderAmber Brown
Leticia Pena Martinez



Purpose

  • Guide Informed Decisions: During their service, members will work with NBU and subject matter experts to review data and information and make recommendations to the NBU Board of Trustees that will shape the future.
  • Make a Difference: By serving on the Community Advisory Panel, members can actively contribute to the betterment of the community. Every voice matters, and community insights can be invaluable to help shape the decisions that affect New Braunfels Utilities.

Details

  • Meeting Frequency: The Community Advisory Panel meetings will occur monthly to discuss relevant topics, provide feedback, and collaborate on NBU initiatives.
  •  Term Length: The selected members will serve up to a three-year staggered term. The term length for each member will be determined during the first meeting of the Community Advisory Panel.
  • Core Initiatives: There are three core NBU initiatives the Community Advisory Panel will address, including:
    1. Integrated Resource Plan
    2. Drought Management Plan
    3. Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027 Rate Design Study

Get Involved

Beyond serving on the Community Advisory Panel, NBU encourages community residents to attend the meetings as observers, provide feedback, and engage about matters related to NBU initiatives.

Visit here often for more information about upcoming initiatives and activities of the Community Advisory Panel.