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VOL 11 No. 23
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FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2018
P. O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623
Official newspaper of Fort Bend County & Missouri City
Sheriff’s office gets national award West Fort Bend County poised for Crisis Intervention Program to become industrial hub
Fort Bend County has been recognized with the National Association of County’s achievement award for its innovative Crisis Intervention Program. The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) is a specialized unit formed within the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office and funded under federal grants that assists in helping individuals suffering from mental illness. The objective of the team is to work within the mental health provider network by assisting mental health consumers in crisis in reaching the appropriate care by diverting these individuals away from incarceration or emergency rooms when possible. The 10-member team utilizes specialized training and protocols to assist in these goals, and is involved in training other first
responders within the county in the recognition of mental illness. “Our Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) prioritizes the well-being of our citizens by linking law enforcement with behavioral health service,” said Sheriff Troy Nehls. “CIT serves as a gateway to treatment instead of incarceration, improving service to our community while also reducing costs to taxpayers. CIT routinely resolves crises with dignity and care, increasing trust with the vulnerable citizens CIT was designed to serve.” Nationally, awards are given in 18 different categories that reflect the vast, comprehensive services counties provide. The categories include children and youth, criminal justice, county administration, information technology, health, civic engagement
and many more. “Our Crisis Intervention Team is a truly innovative means to place people into treatment rather than jail whenever possible based on the circumstances of each intervention,” said Fort Bend County Judge Bob Hebert. “This award is well deserved testimony that our CIT team is a valued expansion of our law enforcement response capabilities.” Members of the Crisis Intervention Team include, Sgt. Jerome Ellis; Dr. Connie Almeida; Deputy Theo Deaver, Deputy Kathy Drzata, Deputy Sonia Craig, Capt. Matt Carter; Deputy Michelle Guajardo, Deputy Michael Steiner, Deputy Gary Kidder, Deputy Alexander Rey, Lt. Scott Soland and Deputy Anthony DeLeon.
By SESHADRI KUMAR Fort Bend County, with a burgeoning population of 780,000 people is bracing up to meet the fast pace of economic growth by undertaking a flurry of mobility and infrastructure projects. At least 18 projects have been identified in the 2017 mobility bond in the Precinct 1 area to meet the economic growth as well as to ensure safety and ease traffic congestion, Pct. 1 Commissioner Vincent Morales told a meeting of the governmental affairs division of the Central Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce in Rosenberg on May 25. At least $56 million has been earmarked as matching contribution for these projects to leverage more funds from cities and the Texas Department of Transportation, Morales said. As an estimated 30,000 people move into the county every year and the projected population of the county is expected to be 2.5 million by 2050, “We should have a robust mobility
Morales bond every four years,” Morales said. Besides the 2017 mobility bond projects, some of the unfinished projects identified in the 2007 and 2013 mobility bonds are also being expedited, he said. For example, the Williams Way project from US 59 to FM 762 which had been stalled, was
revived after Morales took office in 2016. This project is to improve mobility by creating a new north/ south connection from US 59 to FM 762. It is expected to be completed by the end of this year. Similarly, in the Greatwood area, Sansbury Boulevard from FM 762 to Canyon Lake Drive, will improve mobility between Crabb River Road and FM 762 by extending the existing road to connect to Williams Way and eventually FM 762. This $21 million project, with $4.4 million in bond money, is expected to begin in July and set for completion by January 2019. The commissioners court is expected to approve the contract for accelerated construction of an access road to an area, where Lamar CISD is building a new elementary school. The project should be completed in six months, Morales said. On the widening of I-69, which is now causing a conSee MORALES, Page 3
Missouri City earns Certificate of Achievement For Excellence in Financial Reporting For the 36th consecutive year, Missouri City has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR). The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. Missouri City’s CAFR was judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR. “The sound financial management that went into earning this award for the 36th year in a row reflects Missouri City’s capacity to meet financial commitments throughout time,” City Manager Anthony Snipes said. “Residents and stakeholders are welcome to visit www.
The Missouri City Juneteenth Celebration Foundation (MCJCF) will celebrate its 16th annual festivities by hosting four days of fun-filled activities from June 11 – 16, 2018. This annual celebration is family oriented, educational and a cultural experience that will include art exhibits, a movie in the park, the annual “One Mile of Smiles” parade and live music entertainment. Above, a scene from 2016 Missouri City Juneteenth Family Fun Day. For more information about this year’s events, visit www.mcjcf.com or call 281.816.6441. See story on Page 3. mctxfinance.com and easily access recent and past financial transparency documents such as City Budgets, Quarterly Investment Reports, Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports (CAFR), check registers and more to further understand why we continue to meet these high financial management standards.” The Government Finance Officers Association is a major professional association that services the needs of nearly 19,000 appointed and elected local, state and provincial-level government officials and other finance practitioners. It provides top quality publications, training programs, services and products that are designed to enhance the skills and performance of those responsible for government finance policy and management. “Our citizens hold my staff
Serving Fort Bend County for 28 years!
and me to a high standard when it comes to fiscal stewardship, and we are proud to have their trust and confidence when it comes to managing the City’s budget on a year-to-year basis,” Snipes said. “The fact that we have been able to maintain this standard of excellence for more than three decades reflects our ongoing commitment to strategically manage the taxpayers’ dollars and to continuing a transparent process.” In 2017, Missouri City residents voted to approve a change in the City’s Fiscal Year to Oct. 1 – Sept. 30. With the changes in the budget cycle, planning for Fiscal Year 2019 has already begun. To ensure transparency throughout this new budget process and to educate citizens, staff has prepared a few frequently asked questions: http:// bit.ly/2EMXJpm.
Community Baby Shower Committee. Houston Methodist Childbirth Center at Sugar Land invites new and expectant moms – along with their partners and babies – to the annual Community Baby Shower from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m on Thursday, Aug. 2, in the Brazos Pavilion Conference Center on the Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital campus. See story on Page 4.