The Woodlands Edition | August 2024

Government

BY ANGELA BONILLA & JESSICA SHORTEN

Parks campus to get $4.3M upgrade The Woodlands Township board voted July 24 to approve the design for a $4.3 million expansion of the Parks and Recreation Department and Environmental Services campus. The details The department’s master plan includes an additional 4,500 square feet of oce space, adding to the current 11,400 square feet available at the facility. John McGowan, director of the Parks and Recreation Department, said the township already allocated $1.74 million to the project, and the department is seeking the remaining funding during the township’s August budget workshops. However, McGowan requested $396,510.25 to allow Hal Associates to proceed with the bidding process, which township members approved unanimously. Stay tuned The renovation is expected to begin in 8-12 months and take 12-16 months to complete, McGowan said.

Shenandoah approves $9.5M for Tamina work Shenandoah City Council approved two contracts at its July 10 meeting for the ongoing Tamina infrastructure project, which will pro- vide water and sewer service to the community. The action taken City Council unanimously approved a $7.3 million contract to go to SC2 Sequeria Civil Construction for drilling a new Jasper aquifer groundwater well and construction of a water plant, according to the meeting agenda. The second contract will be awarded to Phoe- nix Fabricators and Erectors Inc. at $2.31 million for the construction of Water Plant No. 5. The construction will be for a tall elevated water tank similar to the Shenandoah water tank, according to the meeting agenda. An amendment was also passed adding $646,320 for engineering fees for the Tamina project, Public Works Director Joseph Peart said. How we got here Following a joint eort between Montgomery County and the city in 2023, $21 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds were allocated Oak Ridge North OKs tax agreement Oak Ridge North City Council approved a Chapter 380 agreement with Transco Ready Mix on June 10 to move the concrete com- pany’s headquarters to the city’s Commerce Park. What you need to know The agreement outlines a ve-year period in which a percentage of sales tax collected will be returned to the company. The move is set to start in the fall.

TAMINA RD.

Water Plant No. 5

to bring in new water and sewer infrastructure in the unincorporated community of Tamina. An additional $550,000 was allocated by the city to fund grant eorts. The city has stated the project will be com- pleted in 2026. What they’re saying “When we approved this project a year ago, we all realized ... that this may be the most important vote that we take in our entire political lives because we’re ... seriously helping people in need,” council member Jim Pollard said. “It’s a huge statement from the county to the credibility of Shenandoah that we would be asked to be the caretakers [of the project],” council member Frank Robinson said. County expects 202425 $21.68M budget increase In a presentation reviewing the scal year 2024- 25 preliminary budget for Montgomery County on July 23, commissioners were informed of a projected $21.68 million increase in expenditures and more than 100 new position requests. Budget workshops will be held in August. Zooming in Montgomery County Budget Director Amanda Carter said there were 116 new personnel requests from county departments; however, Carter only included 28 of the positions in the budget. Montgomery County Tax Assessor-Collector Tammy McRae will provide proposed tax rates during the budget workshops in August, after

Operational increases include: Economic development

$2.99M

Jail food service and medical

$2.44M

Utilities

$912,116

Montgomery Central Appraisal District

$734,000

SOURCE: MONTGOMERY COUNTYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

commissioners will need to consider this year is the cost of software upgrades to the Criminal Justice Information System. Funds are no longer set aside in the Capital Improvement Fund for system enhancements, she said. “Renewals are nally hitting the IT budget,” Carter said. “You’re seeing some big increases there. Microsoft has increased their rates across the world. So it’s not just particular to Montgomery County.” Carter said no cost-of-living increases had been factored into the preliminary budget.

COMMERCE OAKS DR.

press time. What else? Carter said an additional expense

R O B I N S O N R D .

THE WOODLANDS EDITION