VOL 4 No. 38
Phone: 281-980-6745
ww www.fbindependent.com .fbindependent.com
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2011
P. O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623
Official newspaper of Fort Bend County, Missouri City & Sugar Land
County budgets $252 million for 2012 By SESHADRI KUMAR Fort Bend County’s proposed 2012 budget is $251.86 million, compared to the 2011 budget of $239.62 million, marking a 5.11 percent increase in spending. The county’s total revenue in 2012 will be $234.49 million, marking an increase of 1.75 percent. The gap between the income and expenditure will be met by taking money from the general fund balance and the county will not increase the tax rate this year, according to Budget Officer Pameal Gubbels. The total county tax rate will remain at 49.976 cents per $100 valuation. The county’s total tax base is close to $40 billion and a penny increase in the tax rate would result in a tax revenue of $3.86 million. A little more than 58 per-
cent of the county’s budget goes toward salaries and personnel cost which rose from $139.86 million in 2011 to $147.25 million in 2012. The operating and training costs increased by 38 percent or about $4 million, from $91.7 million to $95.2 million. The county’s total fleet will increase from 731 to 736 vehicles. The proposed budget allocates funds for five new vehicles and replacement of 56 old vehicles. The number of county employees will increase from 2,105 in 2011 to 2,134 in 2012. The county will pay $28 million to service its debt, nearly the same as in 2011. After the proposed budget is adopted, the county will have a fund balance of $44.68 million, which is 17.7 percent of the 2012 budget. The largest outlay in the county budget is for the sher-
iff’s jail and patrol divisions. The sheriff’s jail operation will get $26.74 million, nearly same as the 2010 expenditure. Sheriff’s enforcement or patrol division will get $28.9 million for 2012 against $27.85 million allotted in 2011. The juvenile probation operating expenditure in 2012 will be $7.88 million. The county’s ambulance services in 2012 is estimated to cost $8.6 million. The county libraries operating budget goes up from $11.26 million in 2010 to $13 million in 2012, with a new library on the pipeline at the University of Houston-Sugar Land campus, following the recent opening of the HCCSienna library. Following the two public hearings this week, the commissioners court was expected to adopt the budget at press time on Tuesday, Sept. 20.
Texas House Dist. 26 race draws two more candidates The race to succeed State Rep. Charlie Howard who represents Dist. 26 in the Texas House of Reppresentatives has four candidates as of now, with one more mulling the option. This week Sugar Land Councilman Tom Abraham and former Fort Bend County GOP chair Rick Miller announced their intention to run for the seat in the Republican Party Primary. Earlier, Fort Bend ISD Trustee Sonal Bhuchar and Sugar Land Councilwoman Jacquie Chaumette launched their campaigns for the same seat. Former Sugar Land Councilman Russell Jones is also exploring the possibility of running for this seat. Sugar Land Councilman of our neighboring regions.” Tom Abraham on Monday A pro-life advocate, Abraannounced his candidacy for ham added, “I believe in the the Texas House of RepresenRepublican values of limited tatives in District 26 in the Regovernment, low taxes, and publican Party primary. preserving life, the things that “As a fiscally and socially have kept our local community conservative candidate, my growing strong and I will take job in office will be to listen those values to Austin.” to the people of this diverse A small business owner for district and to represent them over 29 years, Abraham knows with excellence ensuring this what it takes to balance a budregion reaches its full potenget and meet payroll noting tial,” Abraham said. that, “we should expect noth“We all share common ing less of those representing Abraham goals, including quality jobs, us in public office.” great public schools and eco- Square bringing more than 250 And Abraham backs that up nomic opportunities that will jobs and several million dollars with experience. During his make our community a better in new capital investments to tenure in office, he has helped place in which we live, work the city. balance the city’s budget, while and raise a family,” he said. Abraham said he will look rejecting tax increases. Currently serving his eighth for better ways to position Fort Abraham serves as the Reyear on the Sugar Land City Bend County for even stronger gional Director for the Texas Council, as an at large council growth and a healthier econo- Municipal League (TML), repmember as well as mayor pro- my down the line. resenting an estimated 150 cittem, he is sharing his “know“We are experiencing tough ies as they promote the interhow” and “get things done” times in our country, but we are ests of their local communities. mentality with a community blessed in Fort Bend as we find Abraham also serves on the that has earned national ac- ourselves better off than many board of the Houston-Galvesclaim from its many accomSee ABRAHAM, Page 8 plishments. “As president of the Sugar Land Development Corporation, I have been instrumental in bringing quality business headquarters to this area, including the onsite U.S. Customs office to the Sugar Land 10701 Corporate Drive, #282, Stafford, TX 77477 Regional Airport. These deMailing Address: P.O. Box 623, Sugar Land, TX 77487 velopment projects have increased our tax base which www.fbindependent.com Seshadri Kumar benefits all of our residents,” Publisher & Editor 281-980-6745 Abraham said. Fort Bend Independent, (USPS 025-572) is published every Another economic win for Wednesday (for a subscription rate of $20 per year) by Fort Bend local citizens included CocaIndependent, LLC., 10701 Corporate Dr., #282, Stafford, Texas Cola’s move of its Houston77477. Periodicals Postage Paid at Stafford, Texas. area Minute Maid Business POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Fort Bend Independent, Unit to Sugar Land Town P.O. Box 623, Sugar Land, Tx 77487.
Clements Stars Cuties Calendar Contest Seven can be a lucky number, so you can bet that the seventh Annual Stars Cuties Calendar Contest at Clements High School will be one for the books. This CHS fall tradition will be held Friday Oct. 14, at 7 p.m. in the school auditorium. The 2011 participants will consist of two lucky young men from each club, or organization voted by the senior class. That evening these 24 contestants will show off their skills in the talent, question, and modeling portions of the Rick Miller, former Chairman of the Republican Party of Fort Bend County, announced Monday that he is a candidate for Texas House District 26 in the March 2012 primary election. Miller, a 30-year Naval top-level executive and carrier-based aviator, is currently President of Trevaniangroup – a Sugar Land-based leadership development company. Miller recently stepped down as Chairman of the Republican Party of Fort Bend County, having served nearly 4 years in the critical leadership position. As Representative for Texas HD 26, Miller said he would continue to work to strengthen and grow the Conservative
program. The audience will then cast their ballots to determine who will be the lucky twelve “Cuties” featured in the 2012 calendar. The package of one admission ticket with one calendar is $15. Calendars alone are $12 each, and individual tickets are $5 each. Purchase your ticket from any CHS Stars Dance Team member beginning Oct. 1, or during lunch the week of the event in the Commons. Tickets will be $8 at the
Miller cause while providing full representation of this district in the Texas Legislature. “We need a strong voice in the Legislature and someone who is dedicat-
door. All proceeds go toward the Stars Dance Team’s competition season expenses including the performance at Disneyland next spring. Come cheer and support you favorite calendar cutie. For further information on this event, please contact Michelle Barth at michelle.barth@fortbend.k12.tx.us, or call 281634-2204. Pictured above are Kelsey Key, Morgan Davis, Brea Moffett, Claire Perry, Katherine Saunders, Nasim Heydari, and Lauren Castiglioni. ed to stand-up, show-up and speak-up for the citizens of District 26. I intend to make this position my full-time responsibility in furthering the greatness of Fort Bend County and its people, businesses, education and healthcare areas.” Miller has been actively involved in the Republican Party of Fort Bend County since moving to the area in 1999 as State Convention Delegate, member of Senatorial District Resolutions Committee, the Mighty Texas Strike Force, the State Platform Committee and Chairman of Nominations Committee at the 2010 State Convention. A graduate of the U.S. NaSee MILLER, Page 8
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