CITY & COUNTY
News from Harris County & Jersey Village
Harris County Commissioners Court will meet at 10 a.m. June 6 at 1001 Preston St., Ste. 934, Houston. 713-274-1111. www.harriscountytx.gov Harris County Emergency Services District No. 9 will meet at 6 p.m. June 22 at 10710 Telge Road, Houston. 281-550-6663. www.cyfairfd.org Jersey Village City Council will meet at 7 p.m. June 26 at 16327 Lakeview Drive, Jersey Village. 713-466-2100. www.jerseyvillagetx.com MEETINGS WE COVER HIGHLIGHTS JERSEY VILLAGE A bond initiative to repair or rebuild the city pool in Jersey Village could be on the ballot in November. At a May 17 budget workshop, City Council discussed the city pool, which was recently discovered to leak. City Manager Austin Bleess said the project could cost $6 million-$10 million, and construction could begin in fall 2024 if a bond election is held and approved by voters. The formation of a temporary committee to explore options was considered, but council chose to have it discussed in upcoming public hearings.
$25K homestead exemption approved for Harris County seniors, disabled
Harris County Attorney's O ce to challenge 2022 census results
Jersey Village mayor to serve second term
2021 after serving two consecutive terms as a council member in Jersey Village. He has been a licensed attorney since 2005 and serves as an oil and gas com- pliance manager
BY EMILY LINCKE
A COSTLY COUNT Harris County is challenging the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2022 population estimates, citing a possible undercount that could cost the county up to $150 million in federal funding annually.
HARRIS COUNTY The O ce of the Harris County Attorney will be challenging the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2022 population estimates, citing a possible undercount of 40,000-45,000 residents after county commissioners approved the e ort May 16. The breakdown: As of July 1, 2022, Harris County had a population of 4.78 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey one-year estimates. • The county saw an almost 1% increase from the county’s population estimate for April 2021. • The county saw a 16.8% increase from the county’s population estimate for April 2010. The impact: The alleged undercount could be shorting Harris County up to $150 million in federal funding annually, First Assistant County Attorney Jonathan Fombonne said. On May 16, commissioners unanimously voted for the county attorney’s o ce to challenge the 2022 census population estimates. What they’re saying: “We know we have a lot of people moving here from California and New York and other places. ... And certainly that could impact congressional seats and other things that should be here in Texas, not in
BY MELISSA ENAJE
BY DANICA LLOYD
HOW IT WORKS A homestead exemption removes part of the value on a homeowner’s property from taxation. The following example shows how property taxes owed are calculated
JERSEY VILLAGE Bobby Warren will continue to serve as the mayor of Jersey Village for the next two years. He claimed victory in the May 6 election with 55.53% of the votes against his opponent James "Jim" Fields, who had 44.47% of the votes. According to the Harris County Elections Administrator’s O ce, 1,048 ballots were cast in this race—582 going to Warren and 466 going to Fields. “I want to congratulate Jim Fields on running a hard-fought campaign. He reached out to voters on a daily basis and put in a lot of e ort into his campaign. Our city bene ted tremendously from the vigorous exchange of ideas from our respec- tive campaigns, and I want to thank Jim for putting his name forward to serve the citizens of our city,” Warren said in an email to his supporters. Warren was rst elected mayor in
HARRIS COUNTY Commissioners unanimously voted May 16 to increase the homestead exemption for seniors and disabled homeowners. The impact: Those who are disabled or age 65 or older could qualify for an additional $25,000 o the appraised value of their homes for an average savings of $130 per year. Residents may not receive both exemptions. • For those who meet requirements, the $25,000 increase raises the 2022 exemption from $250,000 to $275,000. Going forward • Seniors who need to apply can obtain a homestead exemption form at www.hcad.org or contact the Harris Central Appraisal District at 713-957-7800.
Bobby Warren
HARRIS COUNTY POPULATION
4.8M 4.6M 4.4M 4.2M 4M 5M
4.78M
for a large international company. In a candidate Q&A with Com- munity Impact , Warren said his top priorities included lower property taxes and continuing to obtain grant funding for ood mitigation projects in the city. Fields said he ran to pre- serve the city’s “small-town way of life” and to oppose the development of new apartment complexes and a stadium as well as the relocation of City Hall. In addition to the mayoral seat, two council member positions were also on the ballot May 6. Incumbent Sheri Sheppard ran for re-election for Place 2, and incumbent Michelle Mitcham ran for re-election for Place 3. Both were unopposed in the election.
based on a home appraised at $300,000 with a homestead exemption of $25,000.
4.18M
Appraised value: $300,000
-
Homestead exemption: $25,000
=
0
Taxable value: $275,000
SOURCES: HARRIS COUNTY, U.S. CENSUS BUREAU AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY ONE YEAR ESTIMATES COMMUNITY IMPACT
=
$275,000
100
$2,750
California,” Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey said. “I’m not promising that that’s what we’ll be able to change the count to, but that’s certainly what we’re going into with our goal,” Fombonne said. The takeaway: Fombonne said 40,000-45,000 is an estimated undercount, and a nal estimate is yet to be determined.
=
$2,750
Tax rate
X
Property taxes owed
SOURCE: HARRIS CENTRAL APPRAISAL DISTRICT COMMUNITY IMPACT
HUFFMEISTER 8945 Hwy 6 N (281) 859-5879 SPRING CYPRESS 22508 Hwy 249 (281) 379-7383
BARKER CYPRESS 17996 FM 529 (281) 656-4200 JONES ROAD 17414 NW Fwy (713) 983-8827
Powered by FlippingBook