VOL 10 No. 23
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FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 2017
P. O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623
Official newspaper of Fort Bend County & Missouri City
Missouri City earns Distinguished Budget Presentation Award
This year, the Government Finance Officers Association of U.S. and Canada (GFOA) has awarded Missouri City with the GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the 32nd consecutive year. The international association noted that the award “reflects the commitment of the governing body and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting.” To achieve this award, Missouri City has to meet nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation that are designed to assess how well a government entity’s budgets serves as a: •Policy document •Financial plan •Operations guide •Communications device Missouri City was rated “proficient” in all four categories, meeting all 14 mandatory criteria within each category, to receive this award. The GFOA services the needs of nearly 19,000 appointed and elected local, state and provincial-level government officials and other finance practitioners. The Association produces publications, training programs, services and products designed to enhance the skills and perfor-
best budget policies and procedures.”
WCJC announces Associate Nursing Degree graduates
Good Bond Rating
Snipes mance of those responsible for government finance policy and management; the GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards Program is the only national awards program in governmental budgeting. “Stewardship of public funds is a top City priority and staff’s excellent fiscal management helps us to be proactive in preparing to meet the financial challenges of today and tomorrow,” said City Manager Anthony J. Snipes. “This industry award is indicative of the Show Me City’s dedication to creating, implementing and following the
“Another fiscal highlight we’re proud of is that “Moody’s Investors Service has also assigned an Aa2 rating to Missouri City’s $15.2 million dollar General Obligation Bonds, Series 2017, which reflects the City’s sizeable and growing tax base, its healthy reserve levels maintained by solid financial performance and policies, and its above average – but manageable – debt burden,” Snipes said. According to Moody’s report, the City “will continue to experience growth given its location within the Houston metro area. Located about 20 miles southwest of downtown, the City’s tax base has experienced five consecutive years of growth to reach a sizeable $5.95 billion for fiscal year 2017.” As of Fiscal Year 2017, Missouri City’s values in their Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones totaled $497 million, which leaves a net base for City operations and debt service at $5.46 See AWARD, Page 3
Wharton County Junior College is pleased to announce the recent graduation of 23 students from its Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing program. The graduates pictured front row left to right include: Chloe Heffner of Wharton, Jeannie Jones of Katy, Sharday Arjona of Jacinto City, Laura Galvin of Wharton, Graciela Ortiz of Wharton, Toni Cartwright of Bay City, Jasmine Marks of Missouri City, Haley Barnett of Blessing. Graduates pictured middle row left to right include: Alyssa Vargas of Bay City, Emily Velarde of Rosenberg, Adrienne Lewis of Missouri City, Jade Gillis of Wharton, Coretta Stevens of Sugar Land, Meagan Aguilar of Wallis, Kristan Harr of Palacios, Dana Gamble of Katy. Graduates pictured back row left to right include: Laura Brand of Sugar Land, Latessa Johnson-Lund of Garwood, Steven Gay, Jr. of Houston, Ramses Conner of Richmond, Sarah Emmons of Wallis, Cody Miller of Rosenberg. Not pictured: Melissa Glenn of Wharton. For more information, visit wcjc.edu or call (979) 532-6391.
Indo-American Charity Foundation awards $35,000 in scholarships to 26 area students
Twenty-one out of 26 cholarship recipients from Fort Bend, Stafford and Alief ISDs were present at the award ceremony hosted by the Indo-American Charity Foundation at the FBISD Administrative Annex Building in Sugar Land on May 30. Above, elected officials and IACF officers pose with the students for a group picture. In the second row, FBISD Trustee KP. George, left, Sugar Land Councilman Himesh Gandhi, SMSD Trustee Xavier Herrera, Stafford Councilman Ken Mathew, IACF ex-president Ramesh Cherivirala, IACF President Vanitha Pothuri, Sugar Land Councilman Harish Jajoo, Fort Bend County District Attorney John Healey and Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls. Scholarship recipients, sitting, Yazan Abuashour, left, (AISD), Miguel Robles, (FBISD) and Leonardo Flores (AISD); Standing, front, Maite Ramos (FBISD), David Raj Memorial Award recipient, left, Helena Sutton (FBISD), Minnu Augustine (FBISD), Debbie Tran, (FBISD) and Jannelly Areche (AISD). Rear, Pauline Umyhoza (AISD), right, Veronica Lopez,(FBISD), Deja Gardiner (SMSD),Z’Nae Magnum (FBISD), Saraiah Walker (FBISD), Faith Jhonson( FBISD), Jessica Garcia (FBISD), Stassney Brown (FBISD), and Sharde Shorter (FBISD); Back, Chioma Duru, (AISD), left, Meyer Wilson Doe (FBISD), Isabella Galegos (FBISD), and Emily Dycha (FBISD).(Roy Photography) By SESHADRI KUMAR ity include Casa De Esperenza, awards represent one of IACF’s help, IACF wants to expand its fighting hunger. ties in these areas. The Indo-American Charity Today, the charity has Child Advocates of Fort Bend, Dr. Vanitha Pothuri, president four pillars or core mission, services to include hands-on Foundation of Houston, in its of IACF, in her remarks dur- namely education. evolved into a multi-faceted or- Fort Bend Women’s Center, volunteer time, Pothuri said. 30 years of existence, has been ing the scholarship award cerIACF’s annual fundarising ganization, with philanthropic Richmond State School, InThis year, 26 college-bound a bridge in philanthropy in the emony, said IACF will present students from Fort Bend, Staf- gala is set for Oct. 7 this year. efforts in healthcare, education dian American Cancer Netareas of education, family wel- its 2017 donations to about 24 ford and Alief school districts IACF was established in and human services in the great- work, Asians Against Domestic fare, healthcare and the gener- charities at an awards ceremony received scholarships totalling 1988 to give back to the local er Houston area. Abuse, Daya and Indian Senior ally needy and the organization on June 29. Some of the beneficiary Citizen’s Association, to name a community and to help the un$35,000. has been funding various chariBesides providing monetary derprivileged with a goal to organizations of ICAF char- few. The annual scholarship