The Woodlands Edition | July 2022

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Scharlene Valdez appointed judge for new County Court at Law

The Woodlands Township board of directors will meet at 6 p.m. July 21 and 27 at 2801 Technology Forest Blvd., The Woodlands. 281-210-3800. www.thewoodlands-tx.gov Shenandoah City Council will meet at 7 p.m. July 27 and Aug. 10 at 29955 I-45 N., Shenandoah. 281-298-5522. www.shenandoahtx.us Oak Ridge North City Council will meet at 7 p.m. July 25 and Aug. 8 at 27424 Robinson Road, Oak Ridge North. 281-292-4648. www.oakridgenorth.com MEETINGS WE COVER NUMBER TO KNOW Although many properties have seen increased appraisals in 2022, the amount of revenue that can be collected through taxation is limited by state law. Property tax revenue for maintenance and operations cannot increase by more than 3.5% annually without voter approval, which would be $1.6 million in The Woodlands, officials said. If the township adopts a no-new-revenue tax rate, previously called the effective tax rate, it will receive the same amount of tax revenue as the previous year. $1.6M CITY HIGHLIGHTS MONTGOMERY COUNTY On June 14, Montgomery County commissioners unanimously approved moving the county’s monthly tax lien and foreclosure sales out of the commissioners courtroom in the Alan B. Sadler building back to the steps of the county courthouse on 301 N. Main St. in Conroe, where they had been previously located. THE WOODLANDS The township’s financial report through May 31, presented at a June 22 board of directors meeting by Kellan Shaw, showed the township was $3.2 million under budgeted expenditures for the year to date overall with other favorable variances in departments such as law enforcement and community services. On the revenue side, the township was $5.5 million over budget in sales tax, according to the report. “MY GUESS IS WE’RE GOING TO GO DOWN TO THE EFFECTIVE TAX RATE.” BRUCE RIESER, VICE CHAIR, THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP BOARD OF DIRECTORS

BY JISHNU NAIR

Carter told commissioners the court structure will mimic existing civil and family court structures. Precinct 3 Commissioner James Noack asked about the need for two county clerks. Darin Bailey, a deputy for County Clerk Mark Turnbull, said they are needed because the county court at law receives an “overwhelming” amount of documents. Bailey also noted the court’s timeline would leave County Court at Law No. 6 with less time to train new employees before Valdez took the bench. “It’s not going to be a slow progression,” Bailey said. “We’re going to hit the ground running from the day Judge Valdez takes the bench.” County Judge Mark Keough suggested the court could hire its people immediately, but they would not be on the county payroll until Aug. 15. Commissioners approved the budget adjustments unanimously.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY Commissioners unanimously appointed Scharlene Valdez as the judge for its new Court at Law No. 6 at a June 14 meeting. Her term is effective Aug. 15. Valdez was uncontested in the March 1 Republican primary and has no opponent in the Novem- ber general election. She serves as an associate judge of the 418th District Court in Conroe, a post she has held since 2017. Commissioners also discussed budgetary needs for the new county court at law. According to county Budget Officer Amanda Carter, who delivered the budget presentation, most needs would come from staff. According to documents Carter provided to Community Impact Newspaper , the planned staff will include a court admin- istrator, court coordinator, court reporter, two court clerks and a staff attorney in addition to the judge herself. The total cost will be $120,491.90 from the fiscal year 2021-22 budget.

Jim Pollard appointed to Shenandoah City Council

Jerry Coker 713-224-3426 ¡Hablamos Español!

BY ANDREW CHRISTMAN

SHENANDOAH The vacant position left on the City Council when John Escoto became mayor was filled by Jim Pollard during a June 22 meeting with a 3-1 vote.

Jim Pollard

Jerry Coker 713-224-3426 ¡Hablamos Españo

City Council opted to appoint an applicant rather than hold a special election in November following a June 8 meeting. At the time, the special election would have cost the city around $15,000. Pollard has served on the Shenandoah Planning and Zoning Com- mittee for 4 1/2 years and comes from a media background, including with Community Impact Newspaper. “I think I have been in the community long enough, and I know so many people, ... I believe I can pull them together and make a major impact on the city,” Pollard said. Council Member Charlie Bradt voted against the appointment, noting he wanted more time for a formal interview. Escoto said the appointment was necessary so the City Council could have all five members going into the upcoming budget plan- ning meetings.

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THE WOODLANDS EDITION • JULY 2022