Government
BY TOMER RONEN & AUBREY VOGEL
Fort Bend County could receive 2 district courts Fort Bend County could receive two additional district courts from the 89th Texas Legislature during a July special session to support the increased number of cases as the county nears a population of 1 million. The big picture Senate Bill 2878 was sent to Gov. Greg Abbott for signature June 3 but was ultimately vetoed June 22, due to being lumped with other court items. If approved, the bill would bring the total number of courts to 10 with the last district court added in 2015.
$12.5M renovations coming to Sugar Land Town Square More changes are coming to Sugar Land Town Square, with officials voting May 20 to spend $12.5 million to revitalize the shop- ping center in partnership with Rebees, a commercial development company. Two-minute impact The renovations, funded by sales tax, aim to make the development more attractive to businesses, residents and visitors, according to a May 21 news release. The building improvements include: • Building B ( $6 million ): addition of com- munal office spaces, upgraded landscap- ing and streetscapes • Building H ( $2 million ): entry, lobby and signage renovations, garden area updates and new furniture • Property-wide office tenant improvements ( $4.5 million )
By the numbers Data from the Office of Court Administration shows the number of criminal, civil and family cases have increased 30.18% since the last district court was added in 2015. Officials said this can be attributed to the county’s growing population, which increased more than 41% between the American Community Survey’s 2013 and 2023 five-year estimates. Zooming out The bill would also add five district courts to Harris County and one court to Brazoria County. Looking ahead The courts will now be considered at a special session beginning July 21. If approved, they will be created Sept. 1, according to bill documents.
Fort Bend County total cases on the docket*
50K
40,374
39,757
36,853
40K
33,407
39,971
39,304
30,190
35,800
30K
35,179
32,739
20K
0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
2022 2023 2024 *INCLUDES CRIMINAL, CIVIL AND FAMILY CASES SOURCE: TEXAS OFFICE OF COURT ADMINISTRATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Missouri City’s ETJ could see assistance district In a June 10 meeting, Fort Bend County com- missioners shared the county’s intent to create a county assistance district within Missouri City’s extraterritorial jurisdiction, or ETJ, near the Sienna area. The ETJ is an area outside of the city’s limits, although the city can regulate land use and zoning. The item will need to be approved by area voters in November to be created. Zooming in Proposed assistance district
Sugar Land elects 1st female mayor
Carol McCutcheon, Sugar Land’s first female mayor, was sworn in June 17, replac- ing nine year incumbent Joe Zimmerman, who served the maximum amount of time allowed by the city. The overview McCutcheon, an eight-year City Council member and retired reservoir engineer in the exploration and production of oil and gas, won the June 7 runoff election, defeat- ing former City Council member William Ferguson with 53.05% of the vote.
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The district’s primary role would be to provide construction, maintenance and improvements to roads, bridges and drainage facilities, said Carlos Guzman, director of the county’s internal eco- nomic opportunity and development department. If approved by voters, the projects would be funded by an additional 2% of sales tax in addition to the state’s 6.25%, Guzman said. The 2% tax would be limited to use in the assistance district boundary.
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SOURCE: FORT BEND COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Going forward To be placed on the Nov. 4 ballot, Fort Bend County commissioners will need to call an election no later than Aug. 18, according to agenda documents.
"This is the honor of a lifetime, and I am ready to get to work." CAROL MCCUTCHEON, SUGAR LAND MAYOR
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