The Pearl River Valley Water Supply District (PRVWSD) board serves as the governing body over the Barnett Reservoir and surrounding area and oversees much of what goes on there.
However, when it comes to things the PRVWSD cannot do, that’s where the Barnett Reservoir Foundation comes in.
Bobby Cleveland, who serves as secretary for the foundation board and public liaison for PRVWSD, said the foundation does similar work as a municipality’s chamber of commerce.
“We kind of act like a chamber of commerce for the reservoir community,” Cleveland said. “We serve as support for the Barnett Reservoir. We promote everything about the reservoir. We support the agency that runs it, the business community, the residential community and even the recreational community.”
The foundation began when several reservoir community members wanted to bring back the annual fireworks show, which was the initial main goal of the foundation, according to PRVWSD Deputy Director Susan Brashear.
“The original president Buddy Medlin was a lover of the reservoir and wanted to start a community outreach program for the betterment of the reservoir and its surrounding cities and counties and to improve the image of the reservoir,” Brashear previously told the Sun.
The foundation applied for organization status at the end of 2010 and received 501c3 status in February 2011.
“We try to do some events that allow not only the residents but also for the surrounding metro to join in on what we call ‘rez life,’” Cleveland said. “Basically our charter is that the foundation was founded to assist the Pearl River Valley Supply District in promoting recreation and interest in the Barnett Reservoir for businesses and families.”
The foundation also raises funds for projects to enhance and improve the quality of life for residents and provide recreational opportunities, according to Cleveland.
“What we do every day is to make the reservoir more attractive to its residents, its visitors and its businesses,” Cleveland said.
The foundation is made up of a 17-member board, with terms rotating out on a one, two and three-year basis. At the end of each term, the board votes to determine whether a member stays on.
Prior to 2019, the board had 11 members. Cleveland said they decided to increase the number of board members to keep up with the growing number of volunteers needed for foundation events over the years.
There is representation from each of the five counties surrounding the reservoir on the board.
“There are people from x-ray technicians to lawyers to business owners,” Cleveland said of the variety of backgrounds of the board members. “We are a wide range group, with one thing in common: a love for the reservoir and promoting it.”
Since its inception, the foundation has grown from putting on just one event, the annual Fourth of July fireworks show, to a full schedule of events including a seven-part summer concert series, a BBQ contest, a car show and more.
According to Cleveland, the foundation funds its annual budget with donations, corporate event sponsorships, fundraisers and the sale of reservoir car tags. As of this year, Cleveland said there are approximately 1,400 active reservoir car tags that generate funds annually for the foundation.
Aside from its annual calendar of events, the foundation also funds recreational projects for the reservoir, such as both reservoir dog parks.
“We have some projects that we are shooting for,” Cleveland said. “One of them is a playground for physically challenged youth.”
