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VOL 9 No. 32
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FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 2016
P. O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623
Official newspaper of Fort Bend County, Missouri City & Sugar Land
Increasing property values, rising taxes: The buck stops nowhere By SESHADRI KUMAR Recently, Fort Bend County Central Appraisal District faced a barrage of new complaints, that the CAD unfairly inflated appraisal values and that the CAD maintained a blacklist of arbitrators who were prone to rule in favor of taxpayers. Apart from the perennial complaint that the property values have been inflated, property owners have been complaining that the Appraisal Review Board mostly sided with the CAD and not the taxpayer. Recently, a town meeting was held at Weston Lakes near Fulshear to answer questions from property owners in the area. Fort Bend County CAD Chief Appraiser Glen Whitehead said his plan was to make a presentation to the community members and hear their concerns. Whitehead said some of the community members were not interested in hearing about the appraisal process and he could not complete his presentation. Some of the community members, on the other hand, felt that Whitehead was treating them as though they were ignorant and sought to educate
them. Whitehead, however, denied that was his motive. Instead, he took the concerns of many property owners and verified them. He concluded that 98 percent of the disputed values were within the norm. Whitehead said the CAD has to base its valuation on market value and the state does not allow the appraisal district to deviate from the market value approach. Then, comes into the picture the ARB. Whitehead maintained that the ARB is independent of the CAD, though CAD staff assisted the board in presenting its case. The ARB members are appointed by the Administrative District Judge. District Judge Jim Shoemake currently appoints the ARB members. Though the CAD website mentions the process of appointing ARB members, even some elected officials were not aware of the procedure. What happens if a taxpayer is not satisfied with the ARB ruling? Not much. Despite the dissatisfaction with the rulings of the ARB members, there
Citizen group donates new badges to SLPD
has been no formal complaint against any of the ARB members. The aggrieved community members can write to the administrative judge and file their complaints with the judge. Meanwhile, Whitehead released data on how the ARB worked as of Aug. 5,2016. Total Protests Filed 71,142 Settled Informally Change No Change
41,081 28,038 13,043 Sugar Land City Council approved the Sugar Land Police Academy Alumni Association’s donation of 150 badges on Aug. 2. Picture (L-R) are Police Chief Douglas Brinkley, CPAAA President Wendy Accounts ARB held hearing 7,842 Griffith, Lt. Chris Thompson, Officer Adam Cempa, public safety Dispatcher and badge designer Change 4,289 Ericka Stroud, Officer Eric Babnew, CPAAA Board Member Richard Fenton, Lt. Wayne Coleman, No Change 3,553 Capt. Stuart Denton, Assistant City Manager Steve Griffith, CPAAA Board Member Louise Cirasole and CPAAA Vice President Dave Sullivan. Pending Accounts 5082 The Sugar Land Police Acad- public safety dispatcher was trative or clerical in nature. For more information about emy Alumni Association do- chosen. While there is a clamor for The new badge includes an nated 150 new badges totaling CPAAA, visit www.sugarlandreforming the CADs and the oval shape, an eagle, a state seal, more than $20,000 to the Sugar tx.gov/cpaaa. ARBs, the focus is now on apAmerican and Texas flags, a ribLand Police Department. praisal cap or revenue cap. bon for officers’ badge numbers The new badges replace those Reducing the appraisal cap and rays of sunlight. currently used by SLPD, defrom the current 10 percent is The badge also prominently scribed as stock badges ordered likely to distort equity and two displays the Imperial Sugar char from a common catalogue that similar homes may end up with house, an iconic structure that lack features unique to Sugar different valuations, when one was once the focal point of sugar Land. of the properties is sold. The new design is the result of refinery operations and a builda task force of officers who solic- ing that’s now being preserved See Taxes, Page 3 ited proposals during the course and repurposed as a luxury hotel of a year’s work for designs that and restaurant. The Sugar Land Police Dedepicted attributes portraying partment’s Citizens Police the City’s heritage. After feedback from officers Academy Alumni Association throughout the department, a handles most volunteer opportuplication has been made at this Old badge badge designed by a Sugar Land nities at SLPD that are administime. A public hearing at the Planning and Zoning Commission is expected on Sept. 13 pending any decision to the contrary by the applicant. Following the hearing, the Commission will identify any additional work to be addressed prior to making a recommendation to the City Council. The Commission’s deliberation on the proposal will occur at a subsequent meeting. “The Planning and Zoning Commission has not acted on New badges the rezoning application,” said Callaway. “The Sept. 13 hearing marks the beginning of a long process and an opportunity for the com- By BARBARA FULENWIDER The mayor said there is “with a reasonable advance munity to make formal comImagine that. More squab- $25,000 in the city’s budget notice, they can tell us they are ments and present testimony to bles at Stafford City Council’s for the item and that a “key running out of room so we will the Commission.” most recent meeting on Aug. 3. component is having the cur- have to do our own thing.” The Commission will evenThey came during the third rent arrangement with MisThe key concern, the mayor tually make a recommendation item on council’s agenda -- souri City that was executed a said, is a no-kill provision reto City Council. If the Com- “the plan of options for an few years back.” They provide cently added to the city ordimission recommends denial, a animal shelter and impound the shelter and operation of it. nance, which council will consuper-majority vote is required yard.” Mayor Leonard ScarStafford paid Missouri City sider again. “In order to have of City Council to approve the cella presented the item and an initial fee to join in the a proper arrangement you are application. started by saying the agenda shelter and pays that adjoining going to need a shelter accomUpon receipt of the Com- request was presented when town a monthly fee to provide modating that type of policy mission’s recommendations, a additions to the city’s animal for animals picked up in Staf- and effect. public hearing before the City control ordinance were made ford. Scarcella said their agreeSee STAFFORD, Page 3 Council will be scheduled. ment provides 10 years but last year.
P & Z believes multi-family units needed for ‘active and vibrant development’
Sugar Land’s Planning and Zoning Commission at a July 28 workshop considered a revised Planned Development general development plan zoning application submitted by the Newland Communities for the Telfair Tract 5 property, an area located south of U.S. Highway 59 and east of University Boulevard. The rezoning application, as submitted, includes office, retail, hotel, restaurant, medical and ‘age-restricted independent living units.’ (The application does not include conventional or regular apartments.) The Commission was unanimous in expressing its opinion that a mixed-use development such as the one proposed for Tract 5 needed multi-family dwellings to ensure an active and vibrant development, according to a press release issued by the city. “Multi-family development proposals for this area have been controversial and divisive, resulting in an outpouring of community opposition,” said Assistant City Manager Jim Callaway. “It is important to note that the current development agreement between New-
land Communities and the City of Sugar Land limits additional multi-family development in Telfair. “ To date, Newland Communities has not expressed any interest in including multi-family in their application. We will notify the public if this changes.” During the meeting, the applicant was provided with feedback on the plan, including concerns and deficiencies. At the workshop, City staff outlined several staff concerns, including: The development plan does not ensure a development that’s compatible in scale and density with the Smart Financial Centre. .The proposed application fails to ensure that the development will occur in accordance with the included development plan. .The application proposes pad-site parking with individual on-site surface parking lot and parking structures. This does not encourage walkable, pedestrian oriented development. The applicant will work further on the plan with the City of Sugar Land prior to additional meetings. No decision on the zoning ap-
More squabbles at Stafford council meeting
Fashion, fun & Fair time runway action returns
Donchey
Glitz, glamour, and grand fashions will fill the evening at the Fort Bend County Fair’s “Stylin’ In The Bend” Fashion Show and Dinner on Friday, August 12th at Safari Texas Ranch. The night is full of fashion forward looks donned by the 2016 Fort Bend County Fair Queen candidates and local VIP’s. KPRC’s Sara Donchey will serve as mistress of ceremonies. Sara, who hails from California, anchors the 4 p.m. and reports on weekday afternoons. “I love how friendly everyone is in Texas. I absolutely love covering the rodeo and getting to wear my hat, boots and being around the horses. I am looking forward to coming out to the Fort Bend County Fair,” said Donchey. The styles will represent western chic to formal evening gowns. Anything Bling, The Corral Western Wear, Southern Sister Designs, and Wardrobe The Boutique will be providing the fashions. Come early to shop, socialize and browse the auction items. A seated dinner will be served beginning at 7:00 p.m followed by the Style Show under the direction of Lucas Chavez. Tickets are $55 each or $100 per couple and must be purchased in advance. For more information, contact the Fair Office 281-342-6171. Right, file photo from last year’s show.