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VOL 6 No. 31
FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE. WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 2013
P. O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623
Official newspaper of Fort Bend County, Missouri City & Sugar Land
Sugar Land considers $206 million city budget for 2014 By SESHADRI KUMAR Sugar Land’s City Manager Allen Bogard presented a $206.76 million proposed budget for fiscal year 2014 to City Council on July 23. Sugar Land’s fiscal year 2014 begins Oct. 1, and ends Sept. 30, 2014. The budget includes a five-year financial plan and five-year capital improvements program. “This budget proposed for fiscal year 2014 continues to deliver high quality service levels,” said City Manager Allen Bogard. “It is structurally balanced and addresses the City Council priorities. The proposed budget leaves the current tax rate unchanged and ensures continued financial strength by meeting all financial policies.” Sales tax has grown as projected for 2013. The fiscal year 2013 budget anticipated 3 percent growth in collections over the prior year. Development activity remains strong in the City, with commercial projects such as Costco, Telfair Exchange Lofts and Texas Instruments all beginning construction during the year. The proposed budget has been prepared based on conservative revenue estimates for both sales and property taxes. Sales tax growth is projected at 2.7 percent and property tax at 7 percent, figures driven primarily by the significant growth in commercial valuations. Fiscal year 2013 has seen a normalization of economic trends that started in FY12. The strongest indicator of normalization is in commercial property values, which declined 7.2 percent in the 2010 tax year. Based on the 2013 preliminary tax roll, commercial values have increased 13.5 percent, and are now above the values
seen in 2009. This normalization of the commercial tax base is vital as the City is heavily dependent on sales tax revenue, according to Bogard. A growing commercial property tax base allows the City to maintain a low tax rate, while benefiting from increases in sales tax collections. The growth in commercial valuation supports existing services offered by the City and allows for inclusion of City Council priorities in the FY14 proposed budget. These priorities include operating the surface water treatment plant, establishing high quality emergency medical service within the City, addressing drainage issues, continuing an emphasis on pavement rehabilitation and emphasizing economic development activities that attract high quality businesses and development. The FY14 proposed budget contains the final step in surface water rate increases. To minimize the impact to utility customers, there are no increases for the water or wastewater portion of the utility bill. Residential solid waste rates were scheduled to increase 2.5 percent in January. The proposed 2013 tax rate for the City is unchanged at 30.895 cents and remains one of the lowest rates in the state. The average residential tax bill will increase about 2 percent due to growth in values. The city will collect about $2 million more in property tax revenue than last year. Of this, $422,000 is attributed to new property. The five-year capital improvement program totals $267.6 million, with first year funding of $37.05 million included in the proposed fiscal year 2014 budget. Projects
proposed as funded focus on the “needs” of the City to maintain existing infrastructure such as sidewalks, streets, drainage, water distribution and well rehabilitation and wastewater projects such as lift station and collection system rehabilitation. The CIP includes planned funding for a performing arts center based on development agreements approved by City Council on July 23. Construction will be supported by economic development sales tax as approved by voters in 2008. Projects included in a planned November general obligation bond election are not included in the proposed CIP and may be added pending the outcome of the election. A citizens’ bond committee recently recommended a $50 million bond election for four quality of life parks projects. The bond election will provide an opportunity for citizens to choose whether to invest in quality of life projects. The FY14 proposed budget includes the addition of 14.5 full-time equivalent positions, with seven included for the operation of the surface water treatment plant, three for the implementation of EMS services, 1.5 for response to increased workload, two for environmental monitoring and one position to support the implementation of a tourism program. The proposed budget also includes funding for an average 3 percent merit increase to employees based on annual performance evaluations. The budget will be discussed in more detail with City Council during a series of budget workshops. The meetings are open to the public.
County to go for $184.9 million mobility bond By SESHADRI KUMAR Fort Bend County Commissioners Court has completed the preliminary workshops necessary to formally consider calling a mobility bond election to be held in November. Commissioners court is expected to call the bond election on Aug. 13. The proposed bond amount of $184.9 million would not increase the county’s $0.49776 tax rate, and would fund the mobility projects shown on the list. (See Page 4). Commissioners took into consideration the highest growth in the Katy-Fulshear area in Precinct 3 and accordingly agreed to allocate nearly one-third of the total bond amount for projects in Pct. 3. Roughly, each precinct would have gotten $45 million if the bond amount was equally apportioned. But, Pct. 4 Commissioner James Patterson cut down his project list to help finance projects in the other three precincts. The allocation of funds for the projects are as follows: Pct. 1- $53 million, Pct. 2- $48 million; Pct. 3$58 million and Pct. 4 - $26 million. The current debt service tax rate for the county is 7. 3 cents per $100 valuation. In 2020, the debt service tax rate may go up by a penny, but that could be covered by a reduction in the general tax rate.
HCC’s business partnership
Houston Community College Southwest was featured at the latest Missouri City Leadership Luncheon, with President Dr. Fena Garza discussing two new workforce buildings in Fort Bend County and encouraging more business partnerships. Joining her at the podium was Dr. Betty Young, President of HCC’s Coleman College for Health Sciences, which will expand into Fort Bend County, within the new workforce buildings. The new facilities, at HCC Southwest’s Missouri City and Stafford campuses, will offer energy and health services, among other training programs. In closing, Missouri City Councilman Don Smith said that the majority of the Texas Medical Center’s employees are from Fort Bend County, making HCC’s plans even more relevant. Discussing HCC Southwest’s expansion plans are, from left, Neeta Sane, HCC Trustee, District VII; Dr. Fena Garza, President of HCC SW; Mayor Allen Owen of Missouri City; and Betty Young, President of HCC Coleman.
Kavita Self, left, Cowboy Up Co-Chair; Theo Healey and Fort Bend County District Attorney John Healey; Shannon Bloesch, Parks Youth Ranch Executive Director.
Parks Youth Ranch plans for “Cowboy Up”
Victory to the 9U Fort Bend Braves. Front row: Andrew DeWese, left, Kenan Elarton, Caden Hyatt, Ryan Dugas, Jordan Hall, Victor McManaman, Pedro Medina Jr., Cruz Medina, and Andrew Medina, Chris Roark (Not pictured), help the Braves on Saturday during the tournament. Coaches Assistant: Nick Kautzmann; Coach Frank Kautzmann, Manager Andy DeWese, and Coach Pedro Medina Sr. In only their third tournament as a team, the 9U Fort Bend Braves have taken home their second Championship at Sugar Land Little League’s inaugural Summer Splash Tournament. Outlasting several quality teams, and the persistent rain, the team went undefeated 5-0, including a semi-final win over the Fort Bend Boom (5-4), and a championship win over the Houston Colt .45’s (11-3).
The Parks Youth Ranch Board of Directors and Texas Farm Bureau Insurance are saddling up for success! Cowboy Up 2013 is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 12 at The George Ranch Historical Park Arena. Last year’s inaugural event raised over $200,000 for the mission. The Fred and Mabel R. Parks Youth Ranch opened its doors in March 2011 to address a gap in services for abused, at-risk and homeless youth. PYR is a 20-bed emergency shelter located in Fort Bend County that is able to accommodate 10 boys and 10 girls, ages 7 to 17, referred by Texas Department of Family and Protective Service and by the local community. PYR’s mission is to provide emergency shelter, counseling and life-changing services to these children. Fort Bend County District Attorney John Healey and his wife,
Theo, have agreed to serve as Honorary Co-Chairs. Fort Bend County Commissioner James Patterson will be the Event Auctioneer. The event will feature live music by Kim & Bill Nash from Nash3, BBQ with all the fixins’, dancing, cash bar, live auction and much more.
For more information visit www.parksyouthranch.org or contact Parks Youth Ranch Executive Director & Cowboy Up Co-Chair, Shannon Bloesch (smbloesch@parksyouthranch. org) or Cowboy Up Co-Chair, Kavita Self (kavitaself@gmail. com).
10701 Corporate Drive, #282, Stafford, TX 77477 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 623, Sugar Land, TX 77487 Seshadri Kumar Publisher & Editor
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