Government
BY NICHAELA SHAHEEN & JESSICA SHORTEN
Tomball OKs new comprehensive plan
County moves on road bond funding A total of $120 million in bond funds is set to be available for road work across Mont- gomery County by July 24, according to an update presented to commissioners June 10. The details John Robuck, managing director of BOK Financial Securities, and county bond legal counsel Marcus Dietz of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP presented the official timeline for when commissioners would have access to the first wave of bond funds from the $480 million bond issue approved by voters May 3. Robuck said, based on the county’s existing bond rating, the county will be able to get $120 million through the bond procurement process by July 24. “We are seeing the markets stabilize a little bit. It’s been volatile ... the last couple months.” JOHN ROBUCK, MANAGING DIRECTOR, BOK FINANCIAL SECURITIES
Tomball’s comprehensive plan
The comprehensive plan includes several key focus areas, each supported by specific goals and implementation strategies, according to the document. Among the major components are:
During its June 2 meeting, Tomball City Council approved the city’s updated comprehensive plan, which outlines a long-range vision for land use, infrastructure, housing and mobility. The big picture The plan, last adopted in 2019, will act as a policy framework for future development deci- sions, capital improvement planning and zoning updates, per the agenda. The plan acts as the city’s guiding document for the next five to 10 years. Consulting firm Freese and Nichols, Inc. drafted the plan with guidance from city staff, City Council members, community members and focus groups, as previously reported. What’s next City staff will begin using the plan to inform zoning decisions, development review and updates to the city’s Unified Development Code, according to the agenda. The plan will be reviewed annually to track progress and ensure alignment with the city’s goals. Law enforcement pay equity examined Montgomery County commissioners on June 10 authorized the creation of a commit- tee to look at law enforcement pay equity across policing agencies in the county. The committee must report back to commissioners by the beginning of budget workshops—which are currently scheduled for Aug. 12-15—and include: • Gap analysis
Future land use map: Provides a guide for how land in Tomball should be developed or preserved. It includes a new zoning classification for duplex housing. Mobility: Recommends improving local street connectivity and promoting walkability. Housing and neighborhoods: Encourages a range of housing options to meet community needs while maintaining neighborhood character. Economic development: Identifies priority areas such as the Hwy. 249 corridor to support job creation and commercial investment. Downtown Tomball: Reinforces downtown’s role as the city’s cultural and economic core, and suggests steps for improvement. Infrastructure: Addresses stormwater, water supply and green infrastructure. The plan supports connecting parks and drainage features where applicable.
SOURCE: CITY OF TOMBALL/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Sheriff’s office restructuring enters Phase 2 of plan
Sheriff’s office restructured
The three new bureaus are led by Assistant Chief Deputies Robby Sells, Eric Hensley and Rick Bass, respectively.
Support bureau • Logistics • Information technology • Homeland security • Night command
Justice bureau • Jail command
Following an internal restructuring, Mont- gomery County Sheriff Wesley Doolittle told commissioners May 13 that department efficiency, backlogs and call response times have improved. Montgomery County commissioners on May 27 approved Phase 2 of the office’s reorganization. Two-minute impact Doolittle said he restructured the sheriff’s office to a “bureau structure” to provide chain of com- mand guidance and efficiency to commissioners on May 13. The new structure divides the duties of the sheriff’s office under three assistant chief deputies. The specifics Doolittle said he felt the biggest
Operations bureau • Patrol command • Criminal investigations
SOURCE: MONTGOMERY COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE/COMMUNITY IMPACT
accomplishment in his first 100 days was the full staffing of the sheriff’s office and the reduction of wait times for calls to the 911 emergency dispatch center. He said 94% of calls to the emergency dis- patch center are now answered within 15 seconds . Additional challenges he said the department will be working to address include replacing inmate transport buses; staff and support space; and pay parities.
• Budget health review • Tax rate considerations • Funding mechanisms Before you go
Precinct 4 Commissioner Matt Gray said he would like the committee to bring a one-to-five-year plan for increasing law enforcement pay across the county.
9
TOMBALL - MAGNOLIA EDITION
Powered by FlippingBook