Katy South Fulshear Edition | May 2023

Harris County

Harris County Commissioners Court will meet next on June 6 at 1001 Preston Ave., Ste. 934, Houston. 713-755-5000. www.harriscountytx.gov Fort Bend County Commissioners Court meets next on June 13 at 1 p.m. at 401 Jackson St., Richmond. 281-342-3411. www.fortbendcountytx.gov MEETINGS WE COVER HIGHLIGHTS FORT BEND COUNTY Judge KP George announced April 17 the appointment of Greg Babst to the role of Homeland Security and Emergency Management manager. George said Babst is the leadership the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management needs as hurricane season approaches. Babst was serving in the role as interim since January, when former Manager Mark Flathouse announced his retirement. Babst previously worked in various federal emergency management positions and has worked with the county since 2021. The department exists to help prevent, protect and recover from natural disasters and other crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Harris County approves guidelines for tax incentives HARRIS COUNTY Commissioners voted unanimously 4-0 to approve updated guidelines that must be met for projects to qualify for tax abatement in Harris County’s reinvestment zones. BY MELISSA ENAJE

QUOTE OF NOTE “We have a responsibility to promote equitable economic growth and shared prosperity. When companies get a break, our communities should benefit, too.” RODNEY ELLIS, HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT 1 COMMISSIONER

What happened: Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis said Harris County’s updated guidelines aim to increase and strengthen existing community benefits and worker protections. City of Houston officials said 28 sites are designated as tax increment reinvestment zones. According to Texas Tax Code, a county or municipality may designate a geographic area as a TIRZ to promote development or redevelopment, and attract new invest- ment in an area. Cities around Texas try to boost devel- opment in underperforming areas by creating TIRZs. Tax abatements, also known as a reduction or exemption, can be effective for a maximum of 10 years. The details: The policy builds on changes for competi- tive wages, access to affordable health care and safety training, and encourages minority- and women-owned businesses to participate in developing projects in TIRZ areas. According to documents, the policy updates will: • Incentivize businesses to reduce carbon emissions • Create job opportunities that require at least 50% of new hires at a project location to be Harris County residents

• Require a minimum of 25 new full-time permanent positions to be created per project site • Require that full-time employees be paid a fair wage and offered affordable health care plans • Mandate a Fair Chance Hiring plan, meaning residents would not have to disclose state criminal histories on their job application • Prevent contractors with Occupational Safety and Health Administration violations from working on projects • Prohibit contractors with outstanding wage theft claims or a recent history of wage thefts

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KATY SOUTH - FULSHEAR EDITION • MAY 2023

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