Saratoga Underground Water Conservation District directors have set their annual meeting for March 8 at 1:30 p.m. in the Lampasas County Commissioners Courtroom.

Representatives from units of government and other organizations will be invited to attend. Also, anyone interested in the conservation of underground water is encouraged to attend.

At the March 8 meeting, the district’s annual report will be reviewed and approved. Status of the district and desired future conditions for aquifers in the district will be reviewed.

In addition, the Saratoga district’s goals for 2010 and the status of Groundwater Manage- ment Area 8 will be discussed.

The annual report outlines the activities and accomplishments of the district during the past year.

District chairman Randall McGuire said the Saratoga Underground Water Conservation District is a state-authorized, governmental agency of Lampasas County.

“The directors of the SUWCD welcome everyone to attend the annual meeting,” he said. “The meeting is an opportunity for the SUWCD to keep all citizens of the district informed of water conservation issues and future events within the district.”

In other action at its recent meeting, directors approved the 2010 budget. The annual budget is very small, as the SUWCD does not have taxing authority, and its main source of income is an annual contribution of $3,000 from the Lampasas County Commissioners Court.

Budget items include Texas Municipal League fees, informational materials, postage, insurance and bonds.

Also at their recent meeting, McGuire reviewed the U.S. Drought Monitor Map for Lampasas County and Texas. Due to recent abundant rains this past fall and winter, the county is not experiencing drought conditions. This is in stark contrast to the spring and summer of 2009, when much of Texas was experiencing extreme drought.

The drought map shows only two small areas in South Texas remain under moderate drought conditions.

Current SUWCD directors are chairman McGuire, vice chairman Lee Hoffpaiur, treasurer Robert Wright, Al Taylor and Mike Tooley.