Fort Bend Independent 090518 by Fort Bend Independent

VOL 11 No. 36

email: editor@ independent.com

Phone: 281-980-6745 50 cents

www.fbindependent.com ww .fbindependent.com

FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2018

P. O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623

Official newspaper of Fort Bend County & Missouri City

Sugar Land City Council split on 1-cent tax hike for parks

By BARBARA FULENWIDER Sugar Land City Council on Aug. 28 discussed the proposed one cent increase in the city’s taxes to complete the park projects approved by voters in a bond referendum in 2013. Voters approved $31.46 million in bond projects, with a potential 3.1 cent increase to the tax rate. The City has issued $21.2 million in bonds and completed several projects, with less than one cent tax increase towards the park bonds. Implementation of the remaining projects requires the issuance of $10.26 million in bonds that will result in an estimated increase to the tax rate of one cent. The remaining park projects include: Ditch H Trail, First Colony Trail and Brazos River Park: Mid-Lake. City Council is split on the issue. One view is that park improvement is not a priority and flood control is critical. Another view is that the citizens voted for the park improvements and their decision should be honored. Sugar Land is no longer a fast growing city so sales taxes and property taxes have declined. Mayor Joe Zimmerman said, “Our city manager and staff said, based on a conservative assessment of flat property tax rate and sales tax, they can fund the city’s $245 million budget.” He said the tax rate now funds the $245 million but does not include the park bonds. “We had to publish the highest tax rate (of $0.32762 per $100 valuation) to give ourselves the

flexibility of what we’re not going to have on Sept. 18th.” (City council is scheduled to take a formal vote on the tax rate on Sept. 18.) Jennifer Brown, the city’s finance director, told council the city’s filed budget can be funded by a flat tax rate of $0.31762, which was the city’s rate last year. At council’s Aug. 9 meeting they voted to propose a tax rate for consideration of $0.32762, which included 1-cent for potentially including the voter approved park bond projects in the final budget. With a tax rate of $0.31762, the average tax bill this year would be $1,072 on a home valued at $375, 201. It amounts to an average increase of $34 in the tax bill. A public hearing on the proposed 2018 property tax rate opened and three citizens spoke. Leon Anhaiser was the first and said, “In looking at the tax rate and budget first thing, I asked myself what did we learn from Hurricane Harvey? We learned if we’d had flood levels that were predicted at the Brazos River we’d have had flooding over U.S. 90A and Hwy. 6 because water levels were right at the top. “My concern is we need to take care of our houses before we take care of our parks. We need to raise those levees 2 to 3 feet and look at what it did to the city’s Brazos River park. It tore every thing up during Harvey. We use to have 100-year events and now we’re looking at 5-years.

Anhaiser went on to say, “We need to seriously reconsider taking out things in that park because of the floods we are going to have. Eventually we will have to put a gate at the end of Ditch 8 and the Brazos River to prevent flooding. I don’t see why we need to do parks for 1-cent and not do our flooding first and then parks. I hope we’ll do flooding first and look at parks later and not do the 1-cent.” John Lucey was next and said he agreed with everything Anhaiser had said and was just glad last year’s flooding wasn’t any worse than it was. The third speaker was Christopher Meyer who told council, “The homestead exemption won’t help citizens next year because there could be large increases in taxes. We need to know what taxes will be before they are raised, not after.” He also said veterans should be exempt from “this type of property tax” and not have to pay the additional 1-cent raise. After the mayor closed the public hearing, he said the city council led by former mayor Jimmy Thompson “committed real funds to identify problems with the Brazos River. A study of the hydrology of the river had to be made to understand the erosion of it since.” Zimmerman said, “They had several meetings and coordinated with the LIDS and MUDS and all the counties up and down the watershed so we could share the information we uncovered” in order to be part of See TAX, Page 3

FBISD hosts community meetings on Nov. 6 Bond Referendum

At the August 13 Board meeting, the Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees called a $992.6 million bond election for November 6, 2018 to address capital needs related to new construction, safety and security, renovations to address maintenance and adequacy throughout the District, and transportation and technology. To provide the community with details about the 2018 Bond package, FBISD is hosting a series of community information sessions in September and October. All FBISD parents, staﬀ, students and community members are welcome to attend. The information sessions will give community members an opportunity to receive detailed information about the 2018 Bond, engage in open discussions and ask any questions they may have. You can learn more about the 2018 Bond Program on the Bond webpage. October 9 is the last day to register to vote in the Nov. 6 election.

For more information about registering to vote, check with the Fort Bend County Elections at http://www.fortbendcountytx. gov/, under Services/Elections. The Community Information Sessions will be held on the following dates, from 6-8 p.m.: September Meetings: Tuesday, September 18 Hightower High School Auditorium 3333 Hurricane Lane, Missouri City 77459 Austin High School Auditorium 3434 Pheasant Creek Dr., Sugar Land 77498 Wednesday, September 19 Kempner High School Auditorium 14777 Voss Rd., Sugar Land 77498 Fort Settlement Middle School Commons 5440 Elkins Rd., Sugar Land 77479 Wednesday, September 26 Ridge Point High School Auditorium 500 Waters Lake Blvd., Missouri City 77459

Clements High Auditorium 4200 Elkins Dr., Sugar Land 77479

School

October Meetings: Thursday, October 4 Hodges Bend Middle School Commons 16510 Bissonnet, Houston 77083 Wednesday, October 10 Dulles High School Cafeteria 550 Dulles Ave., Sugar Land 77478 Travis High School Auditorium 11111 Harlem Rd., Richmond 77406 Tuesday, October 16 Bowie Middle School Commons 700 Plantation Dr., Richmond 77406 Willowridge High School Auditorium 16301 Chimney Rock, Houston 77053 Wednesday, October 17 Elkins High School Auditorium 7007 Knights Court, Missouri City 77459

Fort Bend Education Foundation hosts 4th Annual Sugar Shindig

Enjoy a sweet time with the Fort Bend Education Foundation at the 4th Annual Sugar Shindig presented by Dally + Associates, Inc. on Friday, October 26, at 6:30 pm. Shimmy over to Safari Texas for a casual evening of fun and frolic to raise funds for the teachers and schools of FBISD. The evening includes a fajita dinner, a dessert auction and dancing to the music of Password. This is camaraderie at its finest as staﬀ from our schools and community members vie for the best cakes made by local bakers. The event is hosted by the Angels of Education Auxiliary, whose mission is to create community awareness for the Foundation’s Grants to Teachers and Schools programs. Have your cake and eat it too at this shindig! To purchase tickets, adults only $27/person, or make donations, visit www.fortbendisd.com/foundation. Above, Nappinnai Natarajan, Dr. Charles Dupre, Noreen Covey, Richard Embrick and Stephanie Clayton. —Photo courtesy of Mary Favre and Jasmine Raziuddin.

“The Arts of Russell Autrey” Exhibit at George Memorial Library, Richmond

Fort Bend County Libraries’ George Memorial Library announces the opening of a special exhibit, “The Arts of Russell Autrey: Artist, Photographer, Raconteur,” on September 9, in the Bohachevsky Gallery of the library, located at 1001 Golfview in Richmond. The public is invited to attend an opening-day reception for the exhibit from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. The exhibit, which showcases Autrey’s pen-and-ink drawings and storytelling skills as well as his magniﬁcent photography, will be on display through October 31. A long-time photojournalist for Hartman Newspapers’ The Herald-Coaster (now the Fort Bend Herald and Texas Coaster), as well as for the Houston Chronicle, Autrey is best known for his photographs that caught snippets of the daily lives of Fort Bend County residents for more than 25 years, from 1983 until his retirement in 2009. Denise Adams, a fellow reporter at The Herald-Coaster, once remarked that Autrey “captures the every-day in an extraordinary way.” Through

the lens of his camera, Autrey documented wholesome Americana, from cotton harvests and livestock shows to children dancing through water puddles, creating masterpieces of art from simple, everyday life. As the photography world evolved from manual ﬁlm to digital images, Autrey’s skills also grew. Digital photography has enabled him to manipulate photographs and add imaginative elements for a new generation of artistic creations, often with humorous features that reﬂect his view of life with all of its quirks and idiosyncrasies. A longtime fan of newspaper columnist Leon Hale, who is known for his folksy tales of country life, Autrey often shares stories and tidbits about the photos he takes. His simple observations of life have become as captivating as his artwork, and he tells his anecdotes in true Leon Hale style. Visitors to the exhibit will have a unique opportunity to hear Autrey’s stories while they are viewing his works of art. Photos for which he had a description will have a coordinating QR code with an audio recording of Autrey shar-

ing his memories of the photo and the story behind each one. This innovative element to the exhibit enables visitors to appreciate both the visual and aural talents of the artist. To experience this multidimensional feature, visitors will need a smartphone that has WiFi, active internet access, and a QR reader (various free QR reader options are available for download from the Apple App or Google Play stores). George Memorial Library provides free WiFi access to the public throughout the building. For convenience, visitors may also wish to bring earphones for their smartphones. While best-known for his brilliant photography, Autrey also enjoys expressing his creativity through pen-and-ink drawings. He credits an early art teacher for awakening his appreciation for all kinds of art, architecture, and music, and he initially began his artistic pursuits as a sketch artist. When a high school assignment placed a mail-order 35mm camera in his hands, his artistic eye became focused on photography, but his love of sketching has always continued in the background. The exhibit includes some of these lesser-known hidden gems that shine no less brightly beside their photographic counterparts. The exhibit may be viewed during regular library hours. For more information, call the library system’s Communications Oﬃce at 281-633-4734, or visit the Fort Bend County Libraries’ website, www.fortbend.lib.tx.us.

Page 2 • INDEPENDENT • SEPTEMBER 5, 2018

NEWS

SSLW announces fall programs

John Paul Anders, left, from Congressman Pete Olson’s oﬃce recently visited the Fort Bend YMCA in Missouri City to honor one of its long time fitness instructors. Mistie Porter, center, was presented with a Congressional Resolution “for her contributions to the people of Texas’s 22nd Congressional District. Mistie’s vigorous eﬀorts to educate and inspire others through fitness has brought the community closer together and made a lasting, healthy impact on our lives.” At right is Otis Sowell, Healthy Living Director at the Y.

Join Suburban Sugar Land Women in celebrating 30 years of providing compassionate and cutting-edge services and resources to infants, children, youth, and adults. Dr. Moses & Susan Wilcox are Committed Members, Phenomenal Partners, and Chairs of April, 2019 “ 30 for 30” Fundraiser. The goal is to raise $30,000 for programs and scholarships. Donate online or mail your tax-deductible donation today, this month, or this year. “Love GOD first, others second, and self last” is our creed symbolized by our red rose. SSLW’s vision is to encourage, educate, equip, engage, and empower and its purpose is to provide human and financial services and resources from infancy thru adulthood. The group’s mission is to design, implement, and evaluate educational, civic, economic, and cultural programs that build self-confidence and

Judeene Edison, left, Susan Wilcox, Devette George, Mable Scott Austin, Mose Austin, and Alisa Laddie review the 2018 - 2019 calendar of programs. expand knowledge and skills Sept.22Youth and Parents Mon., Oct 8, 6-8 p.m,Terry Financial Literacy at First High * and to succeed in school and life. Oct. 9, 6-8 Six free, ongoing service Colony Library, register by Tues., programs are: Seniors En- Thursday, 09.20.18, 11p.m to p.m,Marshall High *chairs,harrris_marvelyn@ richment; Families Outreach; jharmon@pdq.net; Infants thru Young Adults De- Sept.25 National Voter Reg- att.net and eharmon47@ velopment; Scholarships & istration Day: Willowridge hotmail.com and sslw89@ Support; Community Partners; High School in Fort Bend gmail.com; and Community Involvement . ISD. Details, eharmon47@ Oct. 10, 9 a.m-1 p.m, Seniors pdq.net; Lamar High School Expo at Stafford Center; in Lamar CISD. Details, Saturday, October 27,AM: SEPTEMBER and National Make a Difference Sept.2 Annual Appreciation smsewell@aol.com; at Constellation Field in Sug- Stafford High School in Staf- Day, donishasmith21@yahoo.com and tomika.lewis@ ford MSD; ar Land; Sept. 29 Elementary Math- hotmail.com; and ematics for Parents, Sug- October 27, DST-SHFBAC ar Land Library. Details, Literary Café, Details, aal. shfbac@gmail.com. ms.dmgeorge@hotmail.com; Fall Pre School English & All Events are Free and Open Active Senior Living; Embracing Spanish, New & Gently Worn to the Public Book Drive, jedison925@sb- NOVEMBER the lives of Seniors 55 and Better Fall Pre School English & cglobal.net / 281.789.4916 Spanish, New & Gently OCTOBER Fall Pre School English & Worn Books, Spanish, New & Gently Worn jedison925@sbcglobal.net Books, jedison925@sbcglob- /281.789.4916 Adopt A Park Quarterly al.net / 281.789.4916 Fort Bend Countywide Col- Clean Up, sslw89@gmail.com lege Nights Diapers Drive for Shelter@ Mon., Oct. 01,6-8 p.m, Fosms.dmgeorge@hotmail.com ter High * Tues., Oct. 2, 6-8 p.m, Bush Tuesday, November 27, 5-8 p.m, Santa Village Comes to High * Stafford Centre. Wed., Oct. 3,6-8 p.m, Leon2815 Cypress Point Dr, Missouri City, TX 77459 ard Merrell Center in Katy sslw89@gmail.com www. plantationqv.com ISD * , 5-8 p.m;

PLANTATION at Quail Valley

Phone: (281) 208-4470

INDEPENDENT • SEPTEMBER 5, 2018 • Page 3

NEWS

Fort Bend County plans to adopt $371.75 million budget with a slight tax cut

By SESHADRI KUMAR Fort Bend County Commissioners Court will hold a public hearing on the proposed 2019 county budget on Monday, Sept. 10 at 5:30 p.m. and on Tuesday, Sep. 11 at 1 p.m. at the Courthouse, 401 Jackson St. Richmond. The county’s total proposed budget for 2019 is $373.24 million, compared to the 2018 budget of $365.48 million, marking a 2.12 percent increase.

The 2019 general fund budget is $284 million ($278 million in 2018). The Road and Bridge budget has increased from $24.62 million to $24.76 million. The Drainage District has the maximum variance of 34 percent, from $11.1 million in 2018 to $14.89 million in 2019. This increase in budget is attributed to $3 million for a watershed study and plan for future ﬂood control measures. Also $ 1 million is allocated

for Big Creek and Staﬀord Run. The debt service fund has slightly dropped from $40 million to $39.91 million and other funds too have dropped from $11.14 million to $9.27 million. The county’s net assessed value has increased by 4 percent from $64.180 million in 2017 Tax Year to $66.747 billion in 2018 tax year. Similarly, the total revenue increased to $371.75 million,

a 3.88 percent increase The county’s total tax rate will also drop by half a cent from 46.9 cents per $100 valuation to $46.4 cents. The proposed budget includes a pay raise for county employees and elected oﬃcials, between 3 percent and 4 percent. The salaries and personnel costs accounted for $219.5 million in the budget, compared to $206.66 million in the current year.

Tax From Page 1

done four drainage reports and Harvey gave us the best information we have. We are proceeding now with one area,” Zimmerman said “We know there are levee improvement districts that are facing a tax increase and know FBISD is moving forward with a capital improvement plan. With those reasons, it’s my opinion we should not take an increase. My recommendation is keep the tax rate where it is now and take the budget the way it is and save our powder for another day.” Amy Mitchell, District 3 council member, sided with the mayor on not increasing taxes. “If we are going to give a higher homestead exemption do it now. We’ve lost hundreds of miles of parkland in Sugar Land Memorial Park. When we have to address that we will likely have to increase taxes. I think we need to address problems we may have with flooding.” Zimmerman said, “There were 237 houses that flooded during Harvey and 217 of them flooded because city criteria now in place for slab elevation wasn’t in place then because those houses were built in the county not the city. Even with Harvey if they had been built to Sugar Land criteria they would

not have ﬂooded. If we have 60 inches of rain in Sugar Land we will all be in trouble.” At Large Position 1 Council Member Jennifer Lane said her concern is how important the park bonds are right now. “Is it important for residents to have the park bonds or should we do something that is more important like ﬂooding. Are you going to trust us to do something else with the money or trust us to follow through on the bonds. That’s where I’m at on park bonds.” Carol McCutcheon, District 4 council member, said she is concerned about raising taxes when the county and LIDS are considering it. “Now is not the right time to increase the tax rate,” she said. Mitchell said the city can always do the parks in the future and that 2/3rds of the projects have already been done. Steve Porter, District 1 council member, said his concern is Sugar Land residents voted and “we should just ignore them? I don’t think so. They voted on $31 million on the park bonds and the tax rate would go up 1-cent. Will elections matter after this? “Conditions change. I’m not in love with raising taxes but I think we have some obligations

to honor when the people speak. We either do it now or it won’t ever get done when facing the Brazos problems.” He said he hasn’t made a decision on it yet but thinks council is required to honor elections. At Large Position 1 Councilman Himesh Gandhi agreed with Porter. He said the citizens put the park bonds to a vote and said move forward on it. “We didn’t put enough money in the till is the only way we can do it now or we’ll never do it. The majority of our citizens won’t have a substantial tax impact. We have no evidence that a LID will increase its tax rates. “When I look at this, we need to continue to move our city forward, be progressive and listen to our citizens when they tell us to do something. I will support the tax rate increase and make the motion next week. I think it’s the right thing to do.” District 2 Council Member Bridget Yeung said she thinks council “is getting in very dangerous territory by not doing what our citizens said do. Our residents said they want the quality of life in Sugar Land and trails and parks provide that.”

a consulting agreement. “I believe the public clearly fully intended to fund those park bonds. We said it would be 1-cent for every $10 million in debt. The total was to be $50 million but not all the propositions passed so it was $31 million. “The city made a commitment to citizens that we would not take a tax increase until necessary. We took 7/10th of a cent increase and with that issued $20 million in debt. We used it for parks and still have another $11 million,” the mayor said. Circumstances have changed including the annexation of two additional areas, Zimmerman said. “We have not solved the problem of money because we have a risk that whatever the solution to the Brazos is we will need federal government and LIDS and the county asking for dollars to help us with the Brazos. We have a ways to go in order to do that where high priority risks are. “There are other big improvements that have to be made by the LIDS and the city. The LIDS will have big pumping stations and improvements in drainage channels. We’ve

CITY OF MISSOURI CITY NOTICE OF 2018 TAX YEAR PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX RATE FOR THE CITY OF MISSOURI CITY A tax rate of $0.630000 per $100 valuation has been proposed for adoption by the governing body of the City of Missouri City. This rate exceeds the lower of the effective or rollback tax rate, and state law requires that two public hearings be held by the governing body before adopting the proposed tax rate. The governing body of the City of Missouri City proposes to use revenue attributable to the tax rate increase for the purpose of strategic priorities such as funding for IT and fleet critical needs, the expiring COPS grant for police officers, investing and improving animal services operations, lake maintenance and herbicide treatment, the implementation of market compensation and benefits study recommendations, increases in health insurance costs, and retirement system requirements. PROPOSED TAX RATE PRECEDING YEAR’S TAX RATE EFFECTIVE TAX RATE ROLLBACK TAX RATE

$0.630000 per $100 $0.600000 per $100 $0.581873 per $100 $0.636933 per $100

The effective tax rate is the total tax rate needed to raise the same amount of property tax revenue for the City of Missouri City from the same properties in both the 2017 tax year and the 2018 tax year. The rollback tax rate is the highest tax rate that the City of Missouri City may adopt before voters are entitled to petition for an election to limit the rate that may be approved to the rollback rate.

To Kill A Mockingbird

Ridge Point Theatre Department Presents “To Kill a Mockingbird” on October 4th, 5th, 6th & 9th. Showtime: 7 p.m. Tickets are available at: www. rphstheatrebooster.com. Based on the award winning novel by Harper Lee, published in 1960, this novel has been and continues to be a staple on reading lists for many students. It has been widely praised for its sensitive treatment of a child’s awakening to racism and prejudice in the American South. The story takes place in a small Alabama town in the 1930s and is told predominately from the point of view of six-to-nineyear-old Jean Louise (“Scout”) Finch. She is the daughter of Atticus Finch, a white lawyer hired to defend Tom Robinson, a black man falsely accused of raping a white woman. A coming-of-age story of an intelligent, unconventional girl, To Kill A Mockingbird portrays Scout’s growing awareness of the hypocrisy and prejudice present in the adult world.

Loving Friends meet September 18

Loving Friends will meet on Tuesday, September 18 at Quail Valley City Cr., 2880 La Quinta Dr., Missouri City. Loving Friends is reaching out to men and women who lost their spouses and want to meet in a social environment.....not a grief support group. The group meets monthly for dinner, entertainment, fellowship and friendship. This month’s meeting will be the annual gift exchange, “Christmas in September”. Members are asked to bring a new gift valued between $10 and $15. It will be fun to bring a gift and then take home a gift. The entertainment for October will feature a barbershop quartet,“Grandmas’ Boyfriends” who will serenade the group with romantic songs. The cost for dinner and entertainment is $23 inclusive, paid at the door. Reservations required, by calling 281-208-3124. For those who want to move on after losing a spouse, Loving Friends would like to welcome you in a social environment. Loving Friends was created as a way for widows and widowers to fellowship with a network of like minded friends. The group also enjoys monthly luncheons at area restaurants, pokeno, and a book club.

Arrest made in Katy-area drug bust The Fort Bend County Narcotics Task Force concluded a narcotics investigation targeting a main source of supply of marijuana, THC extracts and other illicit controlled substances in the Katy area. During the past several months, Task Force Officers have conducted numerous undercover operations in the Katy/Fulshear area. As a result of this investigation, a search warrant was issued for a residence located in the 1600 block of Katy Gap Road, Fort Bend County. The search warrant was executed last week, which led to the seizure of approximately 17.5 pounds of marijuana, 878 THC vapes, 31.3 grams of THC considerate (WAX), 4.9 pounds of THC edibles, 1 gram of THC crystal, 52 grams MDMA (Molly), 25 grams of Ecstasy and 45 grams of cocaine. The illicit substances seized have a street value of approximately $140,000.00. On Aug. 30, 2018, the suspect, Jose Alberto Ochoa, 35, of Katy, was arrested by the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Apprehension unit on four felony warrants issued as a result of the investigation. Ochoa is charged with three First Degree Felony counts of Manufacturing/Delivery of a controlled substance and a Third Degree Felony Possession of Marijuana. Ochoa is currently in custody with bonds totaling $200,000.

Water District Notice of Public Hearing on Tax Rate The BURNEY ROAD MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT will hold a public hearing on a proposed tax rate for the tax year 2018 on September 24, 2018 at 3:00 p.m at Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce, 445 Commerce Green Blvd., Sugar Land, TX 77478. Your individual taxes may increase or decrease, depending on the change in the taxable value of your property in relation to the change in taxable value of all other property and the tax rate that is adopted.

FOR the proposal:

JOE J. SILHAVY, MARK JOHNSON, AND CYNTHIA VAN DEURSEN

AGAINST the proposal:

None

PRESENT and not voting:

None

ABSENT: LYDIA ROSENTHAL The following table compares taxes on an average residence homestead in this taxing unit last year to taxes proposed on the average residence homestead this year.

281-341-3710 Patsy.Schultz@fortbendcountytx.gov www.fortbendcountytx.gov You are urged to attend and express your views at the following public hearings on the proposed tax rate: First Hearing: September 13, 2018 at 5:30 PM at City Hall, Council Chambers, 1522 Texas Parkway, Missouri City, Texas. Second Hearing: September 17, 2018 at 7:00 PM at City Hall, Council Chambers, 1522 Texas Parkway, Missouri City, Texas.

This Year

$0.23/$100

$ 0.22/$100

Adopted

Proposed

Total tax rate (per $100 of value)

Difference in rates per $100 of value

$-0.01/$100

Percentage increase/decrease in rates(+/-)

- 4.3478%

Average appraised value

$287,438

$298,668

General exemptions available (excluding senior citizen’s or disabled person’s exemptions)

YOUR TAXES OWED UNDER ANY OF THE ABOVE RATES CAN BE CALCULATED AS FOLLOWS: property tax amount= (rate) x (taxable value of your property)/100 For assistance or detailed information about tax calculations, please contact: Patsy Schultz , Fort Bend County General Fund Tax Assessor-Collector 1317 Eugene Heimann Cir, Richmond TX 77469

Last Year

Average taxable value

$287,438

$298,668

Tax on average residence homestead

$661.11

$657.07

Annual increase/decrease in taxes if proposed tax rate is adopted (+/-)

$-4.04

and percentage of increase (+/-)

-0.6111%

NOTICE OF TAXPAYERS’ RIGHT TO ROLLBACK ELECTION If taxes on the average residence homestead increase by more than eight percent, the qualified voters of the district by petition may require that an election be held to determine whether to reduce the operation and maintenance tax rate to the rollback tax rate under Section 49.236(d), Water Code.

Page 4 • INDEPENDENT • SEPTEMBER 5, 2018 PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE The Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County, Texas has set a public hearing on Tuesday, September 25, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. for Harvest Green, Section 22, Precinct 3. The hearing will be held in the Commissioners Courtroom at 401 Jackson Street, Second Floor, Richmond, Texas. You are invited to attend and state your approval or objection on this matter.

Submitted by,

Laura Richard Fort Bend County Clerk

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE The Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County, Texas has set a public hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. for acceptance of the revised traffic control plan to change the school zone speed limit times throughout Katy ISD, Precinct 3. The hearing will be held in the Commissioners Courtroom at 401 Jackson Street, Second Floor, Richmond, Texas. You are invited to attend and state your approval or objection on this matter.

Submitted by,

Laura Richard Fort Bend County Clerk

City of Missouri City NOTICE OF INTENTION TO ISSUE CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Missouri City, Texas (the “City”) will meet at its regular meeting place in the City Council Chamber at City Hall, 1522 Texas Parkway, Missouri City, Texas at 7:00 p.m. on the 15th day of October, 2018, which is the time and place tentatively set for the passage of an ordinance and such other action as may be deemed necessary to authorize the issuance of the City’s certificates of obligation, payable from ad valorem taxation and a limited (in an amount not to exceed $10,000) subordinate pledge of certain revenues of the waterworks and sewer system of the City, in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $2,100,000, bearing interest at any rate or rates, not to exceed the maximum interest rate now or hereafter authorized by law, as shall be determined within the discretion of the City Council at the time of issuance and maturing over a period of years not to exceed forty (40) years from the date thereof, for the purpose of evidencing the indebtedness of the City to pay all or any part of the contractual obligations to be incurred for the purpose of (1) the construction of public works, more specifically, (i) the purchase of water, sewer, utilities, drainage and street improvements for Lake Shore Harbour Section Four; and (ii) the purchase of water, sewer, utilities, drainage and street improvements for Lake Shore Harbour Section Five; and any items related thereto, and (2) professional services rendered in connection with item (1). WITNESS MY HAND AND THE OFFICIAL SEAL OF THE CITY, this 5th day of September, 2018. /s/Maria Jackson, City Secretary

City of Missouri City NOTICE OF INTENTION TO ISSUE CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Missouri City, Texas (the “City”) will meet at its regular meeting place in the City Council Chamber at City Hall, 1522 Texas Parkway, Missouri City, Texas at 7:00 p.m. on the 15th day of October, 2018, which is the time and place tentatively set for the passage of an ordinance and such other action as may be deemed necessary to authorize the issuance of the City’s certificates of obligation, payable from ad valorem taxation and a limited (in an amount not to exceed $10,000) subordinate pledge of certain revenues of the waterworks and sewer system of the City, in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $21,000,000, bearing interest at any rate or rates, not to exceed the maximum interest rate now or hereafter authorized by law, as shall be determined within the discretion of the City Council at the time of issuance and maturing over a period of years not to exceed forty (40) years from the date thereof, for the purpose of evidencing the indebtedness of the City to pay all or any part of the contractual obligations to be incurred for the purpose of (1) the construction of public works, more specifically, the expansion of a surface water treatment plant, and any items related thereto, and (2) professional services rendered in connection with item (1). WITNESS MY HAND AND THE OFFICIAL SEAL OF THE CITY, this 5th day of September, 2018. /s/Maria Jackson, City Secretary

City of Missouri City NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

LETTER

Missouri City resident responds to misplaced criticism of elected oﬃcials To the Editor: As I read Howard Moline’s frequent comments in these columns, constantly criticizing Missouri City, I wonder if it is such a bad place why would he stay in this city. His continued criticism of decisions approved by a majority of the people of Missouri City, like the acquisition of Quail Valley, is futile. Missouri City is rated as one of the safest cities in the country. Missouri City ﬁgures among the top 20 best cities in the U.S. Property values have in-

creased by 14 percent across the city and in Moline’s neighborhood, the value rose by 31 percent. He does not seem to realize that none of the improvements would have been possible without the support of the current council members, not the future ones, he is advocating. Future elected oﬃcials he is encouraging may then come in and take credit for whatever is already in place. Moline gives credit to the new City Manager, but fails to mention this was all in place before he was even on board.

It is ironic that he believes we need to basically raise taxes to do beautiﬁcation and infrastructure improvements rather than continue to look for ways to lower them. Has Moline ever really looked around see what this current city council has done? His previous comments in the past surely do not suggest such an awareness. I have lived in Missouri City a lot longer than Moline has, served on a number of boards and commissions. I can say that I am proud of what our past and current

mayor and council members have done to grow the city into what it is today. I hope he is right in that people vote in the November elections to keep people in ofﬁce who were responsible for all the good that has happened and will continue to happen in Missouri City. How many people believe that by merely replacing the mayor and a couple of council members, the city would become great? Ed Biles Missouri City

OPINION

In defense of single member districts for FBISD

By SEN. BORRIS L. MILES Today, 53 years after the enactment of the Voting Rights Act, Jim Crow still dares to raise its head in Texas. While we celebrate the gains made in minority representation and self-determination, we cannot ignore the fact that in places such as the Fort Bend Independent School District (FBISD), racially-exclusive tactics still bar access to power in decisions aﬀecting thousands of children of color and hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars.

Today, FBISD remains one of the few elected bodies in the state to employ an at-large system of voting. In such a system, voters are denied the ability to choose a representative from their own community and instead are forced to vote from a list of several candidates who ostensibly represent a broader area. Oﬃcials elected under such methods can be less diverse than the community and less accountable to constituents. By FBISD’s own numbers, since 1992 the proportion of its

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE The Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County, Texas has set a public hearing on Tuesday, September 25, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. for acceptance of the traffic control plan for Aliana Trace Drive Street Dedication, Precinct 4. The hearing will be held in the Commissioners Courtroom at 401 Jackson Street, Second Floor, Richmond, Texas. You are invited to attend and state your approval or objection on this matter.

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE The Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County, Texas has set a public hearing on Tuesday, September 25, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. for acceptance of the traffic control plan for Walnut Creek, Sec. 21 and Walnut Creek Benton Road Street Dedication No. 2, Precinct 1. The hearing will be held in the Commissioners Courtroom at 401 Jackson Street, Second Floor, Richmond, Texas. You are invited to attend and state your approval or objection on this matter.

Submitted by,

Laura Richard Fort Bend County Clerk

doubled (now 26.5 percent), its Asian population has more than doubled (now 26 percent), and its white population has dropped by nearly two-thirds (now 16.6 percent). While more than 83 percent of FBISD students are not white, ﬁve (71 percent) of its current board members are white, one (14 percent) member is African American and one is South Asian. The tactic of suppressing Miles representation by people of Hispanic population has nearly color through at-large voting remains as relevant today as it was in the 1960s. In 1968, PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE the U.S. Commission on Civil The Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County, Texas has set a public hearing Rights reported that, “where on Tuesday, September 25, 2018, at Negroes are heavily concen1:00 p.m. for acceptance of the traffic trated in particular election discontrol plan for Del Webb Boulevard in Del Webb Richmond Subdivision to change tricts, their votes can be diluted the speed limit to 30 mph, Precinct 1. eﬀectively by converting to atThe hearing will be held in the large elections, in which their Commissioners Courtroom at 401 Jackson Street, Second Floor, votes are outweighed by white Richmond, Texas. You are invited to votes in adjoining districts.” attend and state your approval or Case in point: In 1962, a young objection on this matter. African American attorney in Submitted by, Laura Richard Fort Bend County Clerk

See MILES, Page 5

OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSOURI CITY TO CONSIDER PROPOSED ASSESSMENTS AGAINST LAKESHORE HARBOUR SECTION 8 PROPERTIES LOCATED IN CITY OF MISSOURI CITY PUBIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. TWO

CITY OF MISSOURI CITY

ESTABLISHED BY CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. R-01-38 In accordance with Chapter 372, Local Government Code, the proposed assessment roll for Section 8 of Lake Shore Harbour Subdivision (located within Pubic Improvement District No. Two) has been prepared and is on file and open for public inspection in the office of the City Secretary. A public hearing on the proposed assessment will be held by the City Council as follows: DATE & TIME: Monday, September 17, 2018, 7:00 p.m. PLACE: City Council Chamber, City Hall located at 1522 Texas Parkway, Missouri City, Texas 77489 COST OF IMPROVEMENTS:

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED FY 2019 BUDGET dŚĞ ŝƚǇ ŽĨ DŝƐƐŽƵƌŝ ŝƚǇ͕ dĞǆĂƐ͕ ŚĞƌĞďǇ ŐŝǀĞƐ ŶŽƚŝĐĞ ƚŚĂƚ ƚŚĞ ƉƌŽƉŽƐĞĚ ďƵĚŐĞƚ ĨŽƌ ůů ĨƵŶĚƐ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ &ŝƐĐĂů zĞĂƌ ϮϬϭϵ ǁĂƐ ĨŽƌŵĂůůǇ ƉƌĞƐĞŶƚĞĚ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ŝƚǇ ŽƵŶĐŝů͕ ĂŶĚ Ă ƐƵŵŵĂƌǇ ŽĨ ƐĂŝĚ ƉƌŽƉŽƐĞĚ ŝƐ ĂƐ ĨŽůůŽǁƐ͗ KE^K>/ d ^hDD Zz K& Z s Eh ͕ yW E /dhZ ^͕ E E /E' > E ^ WZKWK^ h ' d &z ϮϬϭϵ

$1,483,582.07

GENERAL NATURE OF IMPROVEMENTS: The proposed public improvements include the construction of street paving, water lines, sanitary sewer lines, and storm sewers, as well as engineering costs. BOUNDARIES: The boundaries are described in the plat of Lakeshore Harbour, Section 8, being a subdivision of 14.38 acres and being a portion of a called 262.296 acre tract recorded in the name of Vicksburg Estates, Ltd., in FBCCF No. 1999082607, located in the Elijah Roark League, A-77, City of Missouri City, Fort Bend County, Texas.

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City of Missouri City LEGAL NOTICE THIS IS A MANDATED PUBLICATION OF THE LEGAL NOTICE OPENING DATE OF Wednesday, September 26, 2018 AT 2:00 p.m. IFB # 18-260 CONSTRUCTION OF THE CITY’S SKATEPARK NIGP Commodity Code: 909-30 IFB’s may be obtained from the State of Texas Electronic State Business Daily (ESBD) at http://www.txsmartbuy.com/sp or Onvia/Demandstar at http://www.demandstar.com/. Responses must be sealed, marked on the outside of the delivery envelope with the Bid name and number as listed above, and the date of opening. Responses must be delivered to the attention of: Purchasing Manager City of Missouri City 1522 Texas Parkway Missouri City, TX 77489 prior to the acceptance deadline. Responses marked improperly and therefore potentially misdirected may be disqualified. Responses will be opened on Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. NON-MANDATORY PRE-BID CONFERENCE: Wednesday, September 12, 2018 Until final award of the Contract, the OWNER reserves the right to reject any or all Responses, to waive irregularities or technicalities, to re-advertise, or proceed to do the Work otherwise when in the best interests of the OWNER. No bid may be withdrawn during the 60 days following the bid opening date.

FORT BEND

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FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE.

12551 Emily Court, Sugar Land, TX 77478 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 623, Sugar Land, TX 77478 Seshadri Kumar Publisher & Editor

www.fbindependent.com 281-980-6745

Fort Bend Independent, (USPS 025-572) is published every Wednesday (for a subscription rate of $20 per year) by Fort Bend Independent, LLC., 12551, Emily Court, Texas 77478. Periodicals Postage Paid at Stafford, Texas. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Fort Bend Independent, P.O. Box 623, Sugar Land, Tx 77487.

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In accordance with the Texas Local Government Code Section 102.005(b), this budget will raise more total property taxes than last year’s budget by $3,475,611, which is a 9.2% increase from last year’s budget, and of that amount, $466,915 is tax revenue to be raised from new property added to the tax roll this year. Public Hearing: Sept. 17, 2018 at 7:00 PM at City Hall, Council Chambers, 1522 Texas Parkway, Missouri City, Texas. The proposed budget is available for review on the City’s website at www.missouricitytx.gov.

INDEPENDENT • SEPTEMBER 5, 2018 • Page 5

NEWS Miles From Page 4 Harris County named Barbara Jordan sought public service for the first time by running for the Texas House of Representatives. She lost. Undaunted, she ran again in 1964. She lost. But a momentous 1964 decision by the United States Supreme Court radically changed the political landscape by requiring that state senate districts be single member. In Reynolds v. Sims, Chief Justice Earl Warren wrote in the majority decision that “Legislators represent people, not trees or acres. Legislators are elected by voters, not farms or cities or economic interests.” In 1966, Barbara Jordan ran in a new Harris County district that was based on the principle of one person-one vote and in which about half the residents were Black and Hispanic. She won. The rest is history. Barbara Jordan became the first African American elected to the Texas Senate after Reconstruction and the first Southern Black woman elected to the United States House of Representatives. In Congress, she was instrumental in the Nixon Watergate hearings and was a tireless voice for the downtrodden and oppressed until her death in 1996. Simply put: if it were not for single member districts, Barbara Jordan may have been denied entry to the corridors of power. Yet, despite the facts, despite the history, and despite the morality of the issue, misguided individuals continue to defend the indefensible. At a meeting in August, a number of supporters of FBISD’s unjust at-large system -- including several African American pastors orga-

nized by a radical right wing demagogue -- appeared at an event billed as a public meeting. But those wishing to speak on behalf of a single member system were not recognized or were shamed and silenced. Apologists would tell you the FBISD system is a “hybrid” of single member and at-large systems. It’s not. Six board members are chosen at-large from two arbitrarily drawn “districts” of three board members each. The seventh member is chosen atlarge. As a consequence, communities of interest throughout the fast-growing school district are isolated and disempowered, since current members live in close proximity to one another. At-large defenders would also tell you that currently three board members represent minority residents and that a change to single member districts would reduce representation. The assumption defies the premise of the Civil Rights Movement and Voting Rights so long as a White board of trustees dominates a multi-racial, multi-ethnic school district. The impact of faulty representation on the FBISD Board is increasingly apparent. In August, FBISD administrators were caught “fibbing” about a Trump Administration Office of Civil Rights finding that “black students were six times more likely to get outof-school suspension than their white peers and four times as likely to get in-school suspension” at district schools. Greater minority representation on the board would make the administration more accountable, head off discrimination, and better prepare FBISD students for success and completion in college. Supporters of this divisive and oppressive at-large sys-

tem are becoming increasingly isolated. In July this year, a federal appeals court ruled in Missouri State Conference of the NAACP v. Ferguson-Florissant School District, that Ferguson’s at-large system of electing board members violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which prohibits voting practices or procedures that discriminate on the basis of race, color, or membership in certain language minority groups. Though Ferguson’s student population is about 80 percent Black and 20 percent white, the school board remained all

White until 2014. That year, Michael Brown was killed by a white police oﬃcer. Today’s Texas has no room for the backward pettiness of the political machine now controlling the Fort Bend School Board. It’s time to toss out Jim Crow once and for all and institute a single member district system befitting our community. Keep the Faith, Keep the Fight! Borris L. Miles represents Fort Bend and Harris County residents of District 13 in Texas Senate

HCC students benefit from new Missouri City, METRO bus service Getting to classes at Houston Community College’s Missouri City Campus is now much easier, thanks to a new community bus service that began Aug. 27. The MCTX Community Connector bus service provides personalized, curb-to-destination service to residents and visitors to Missouri City. The on-demand service offers pick-up and drop-off anywhere within the zone, seven days a week, from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m., for only $1.25. The new service is a welcome addition to students at the HCC Missouri City Campus. Many of them must rely on friends and family members for a ride to class. Taking transit during the school year can provide students with time to get a head start on homework, read, study, and wind down after a long day at school. “We welcome the new MCTX Community Connector bus service to Missouri City,” said Dr. Madeline Burillo-Hopkins, president of HCC Southwest College. “Transportation can be a challenge for our students, and this provides a great option for them to get to and from classes.” Half-price fares are available for students and seniors with a METRO Day Pass or a discount METRO Q® Fare Card. Passengers with a fare card can make an unlimited number of trips in any direction within a three-hour period. The new service connects riders to school, jobs, hotels, restaurants and grocery stores, and to METRO’s local bus network. The public can catch a bus anywhere within the zone or at one of the hubs – Walmart Superstore at 5501 SH 6 or Missouri City Park & Ride at 13849 Fondren Road. METRO’s Community Connectors are smaller, 12-passenger ARBOC buses that are outfitted to accommodate two wheelchairs. The transit service will be rolled out in phases and eventually all city areas will be incorporated into the service plan. For more information, call 713-739-3823 or visit ridemetro.org.

Social media scavenger hunt marks National Library Card Sign up month post can be viewed publicly, so everyone can see the entry! A maximum of one (1) entry per person, per week is allowed for a total of four (4) possible entries per person. One (1) prize will be awarded. The person entering must have a FBCL library card, and their account must be in good standing with no fines or overdue materials. The winner will be announced during the first week of October. The winner must be able to pick up the prize at one of the FBCL locations. FBCL library cards are free to all Texas residents and may be obtained by completing a library-card application and presenting a governmentissued photo ID and proof of current Texas residence at any FBCL location. There is no minimum age requirement. Employees of FBCL and members of their immediate family may participate, but they are not eligible to win. Watch the FBCL Facebook page (https:// w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / FortBendCountyLibraries) and Instagram (https:// w w w. i n s t a g r a m . c o m / FBCLibraries). For more information on how to sign up for a library card, visit any of the branches in the Fort Bend County library system, call the library’s Communications Office at 281-633-4734, or see the library’s website at www. fortbend.lib.tx.us and click on the “Online Library Card Application” link under the “Services” tab.

During the month of September, Fort Bend County Libraries is celebrating National Library Card SignUp Month by having a county-wide social-media scavenger hunt on Facebook and Instagram to promote the many beneﬁts of owning a library card. A “Library Card SignUp Month Social-Media Scavenger Hunt” event page has been set up on the Fort Bend County Libraries Facebook page. Each Monday in September, a new category for the week will be announced on the event page. During that week, people are encouraged to take a photo representing that category – WITH their FBCL library card featured in the photo. By posting the photo on either your Facebook or Instagram account with the tags #FBCLibraries, @FBCLibraries, and #FBCLLibraryCardMonth, each participant will be entered in a drawing for a FBCL gift bag. In order to qualify, the entry photo must meet the following criteria: •The photo must include their FBCL library card in the location representing the category of the week. The location can be anywhere in Fort Bend County. •The image must be posted to Facebook and/ or Instagram, and you must tag @FBCLibraries and use the hashtags #FBCLLibraryCardMonth and #FBCLibraries. •Be sure the social-media

Water District Notice of Public Hearing on Tax Rate

The Fort Bend County Levee Improvement District No. 10 will hold a public hearing on a proposed tax rate for the tax year 2018 on Thursday, September 27, 2018 at 11:30 a.m. at the offices of Allen Boone Humphries Robinson LLP located at 3200 Southwest Freeway, Suite 2400, Houston, TX 77027. Your individual taxes may increase or decrease, depending on the change in the taxable value of your property in relation to the change in taxable value on all other property and the tax rate that is adopted.

The Fort Bend County Levee Improvement District No. 17 will hold a public hearing on a proposed tax rate for the tax year 2018 on Thursday, September 13, 2018 at 11:30 a.m., at the offices of Allen Boone Humphries Robinson LLP, 3200 Southwest Freeway, Suite 2400, Houston, Texas. Your individual taxes may increase or decrease, depending on the change in the taxable value of your property in relation to the change in taxable value on all other property and the tax rate that is adopted.

FOR the proposal: D. Burns, J. Cantu & R. Vannerson AGAINST the proposal: (none) PRESENT and not voting: (none) ABSENT: (none) The following table compares taxes on the average residence homestead in this taxing unit last year to taxes proposed on the average residence homestead this year. Last Year

FOR the proposal:

D. Gornet, N. Ming and V. Mehrotra

AGAINST the proposal:

(None)

PRESENT and not voting:

(None)

ABSENT:

(None)

The following table compares taxes on an average residence homestead in this taxing unit last year to taxes proposed on the average residence homestead this year. Last Year

This Year Total tax rate (per $100 of value)

Total tax rate (per $100 of value)

0.690 /$100

$ 0.690 /$100

Adopted

Difference in rates per $100 of value Percentage increase in rates Average appraised value General exemptions available (excluding senior citizen’s or disabled person’s exemptions) Average taxable value Tax on average residence homestead $ Annual increase in taxes if Proposed tax rate is adopted And percentage of increase

Proposed

$0.000 /$100 0.0000% $253,765

$264,410

-$28,889 $203,012 1,400.78

-$52,882 $211,528 $1,459.54 $58.76 4.1948%

Difference in rates per $100 of value Percentage increase/decrease in rates(+/-) Average appraised value General exemptions available (excluding senior citizen’s or disabled person’s exemptions) Average taxable value Tax on average residence homestead Annual increase/decrease in taxes if proposed tax rate is adopted (+/-) and percentage of increase (+/-)

This Year

$ 0.570/$100

(Adopted)

(Proposed)

$0.0000/$100 0.0000% $518,575

$524,178

$0 $518,575 $2,955.88

$0 $524,178 $2,987.81

$31.93 1.0802%

Page 6 • INDEPENDENT • SEPTEMBER 5, 2018

Water District Notice of Public Hearing on Tax Rate

The Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No. 149 will hold a public hearing on a proposed tax rate for the tax year 2018 on Monday, September 24, 2018 at 1:30 p.m. at the offices of The Muller Law Group, PLLC, 202 Century Square Boulevard, Sugar Land, Texas 77478. Your individual taxes may increase or decrease, depending on the change in the taxable value of your property in relation to the change in taxable value on all other property and the tax rate that is adopted.

The Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No. 115 will hold a public hearing on a proposed tax rate for the tax year 2018 on Monday, September 24, 2018 at 2:30 p.m. at The Muller Law Group, PLLC, 202 Century Square Boulevard, Sugar Land, Texas 77478. Your individual taxes may increase or decrease, depending on the change in the taxable value of your property in relation to the change in taxable value on all other property and the tax rate that is adopted.

FOR the proposal:

S. Winters, L. Thompson, R. Herbst & K. McLeod

AGAINST the proposal:

(None)

PRESENT and not voting:

(None)

ABSENT:

R. Aguilar

The following table compares taxes on an average residence homestead in this taxing unit last year to taxes proposed on the average residence homestead this year. Last Year Total tax rate (per $100 of value) Difference in rates per $100 of value Percentage increase/decrease in rates(+/-) Average appraised value General exemptions available (excluding senior citizen’s or disabled person’s exemptions) Average taxable value Tax on average residence homestead Annual increase/decrease in taxes if proposed tax rate is adopted (+/-) and percentage of increase (+/-)

FOR the proposal:

D. Keel, F. Hester, K. Balasubramanian, & C. Hanney

AGAINST the proposal:

(None)

PRESENT and not voting:

(None)

ABSENT:

K. Sheblak

The following table compares taxes on an average residence homestead in this taxing unit last year to taxes proposed on the average residence homestead this year.

This Year

$ 0.500/$100

(Adopted)

(Proposed)

$0.000/$100 0.0000% $409,451

$371,075

$0 $409,451 $2,047.26

$0 $371,075 $1,855.38

- $191.88 -9.3726%

Last Year Total tax rate (per $100 of value) Difference in rates per $100 of value Percentage increase/decrease in rates(+/-) Average appraised value General exemptions available (excluding senior citizen’s or disabled person’s exemptions) Average taxable value Tax on average residence homestead Annual increase/decrease in taxes if proposed tax rate is adopted (+/-) and percentage of increase (+/-)

This Year

$ 0.440/$100

(Adopted)

(Proposed)

$0.0000/$100 0.0000% $512,024

$492,000

-$76,804 $435,220 $1,914.97

$73,800 $418,200 $1,840.08

-$74.89 -3.9108%

NOTICE OF TAXPAYERS’ RIGHT TO ROLLBACK ELECTION If taxes on the average residence homestead increase by more than eight percent, the

NOTICE OF TAXPAYERS’ RIGHT TO ROLLBACK ELECTION

qualified voters of the district by petition may require that an election be held to determine

If taxes on the average residence homestead increase by more than eight percent, the

whether to reduce the operation and maintenance tax rate to the rollback tax rate under

qualified voters of the district by petition may require that an election be held to determine

Section 49.236(d), Water Code.

whether to reduce the operation and maintenance tax rate to the rollback tax rate under Section 49.236(d), Water Code.

Questions or comments regarding this notice can be directed to Esther Buentello Flores at the tax office at (281) 499-1223.

Water District Notice of Public Hearing on Tax Rate

The Fort Bend County Levee Improvement District No. 19 will hold a public hearing on a proposed tax rate for the tax year 2018 on Friday, September 28, 2018 at 8:00 a.m. at The Muller Law Group, PLLC, 202 Century Square Boulevard, Sugar Land, Texas 77478. Your individual taxes may increase or decrease, depending on the change in the taxable value of your property in relation to the change in taxable value on all other property and the tax rate that is adopted..

The First Colony Municipal Utility District No. 9 will hold a public hearing on a proposed tax rate for the tax year 2018 on Thursday, September 27, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. at the Heritage Colony Clubhouse located at 3320 Double Lakes Drive, Missouri City, Texas. Your individual taxes may increase or decrease, depending on the change in the taxable value of your property in relation to the change in taxable value on all other property and the tax rate that is adopted.

FOR the proposal:

J. Green, K. Sheth, R. Iyer, D. Cooper & J. Arndt

FOR the proposal:

R. Castells, G. Perry, M. Burton, R. Grogan and C. Brown

AGAINST the proposal:

(None)

AGAINST the proposal:

(None)

PRESENT and not voting:

(None)

PRESENT and not voting:

(None)

ABSENT:

(None)

ABSENT:

(None)

The following table compares taxes on an average residence homestead in this taxing unit last year to taxes proposed on the average residence homestead this year.

This Year

$ 0.680/$100

(Adopted)

(Proposed)

$0.000/$100 0.0000% $389,564

$365,070

$0 $389,564 $2,649.04

$0 $365,070 $2,482.48

- $166.56 -6.2876%

Questions or comments regarding this notice can be directed to Esther Buentello Flores at the tax office at (281) 499-1223.

This Year

$ 0.240/$100

$ 0.220/$100

(Adopted)

(Proposed)

- $0.020/$100 -8.3333% $252,205 $256,006

$0 $252,205 $605.29

$0 $256,006 $563.21

-$42.08 -6.9520%

Questions or comments regarding this notice can be directed to Esther Buentello Flores at the tax office at (281) 499-1223.

INDEPENDENT • SEPTEMBER 5, 2018 • Page 7

NEWS Lamar CISD, Texana Center provide Mental Health First Aid to educators

Lamar Consolidated Independent School District is partnering with Texana Center during the 2018-2019 school year to provide Mental Health First Aid training to Lamar CISD secondary staﬀ. Representatives from Texana Center trained all high school teachers before school began and additional staﬀ will be trained in February. Mental Health First Aid is considered one of the premier mental health and suicide prevention programs in the nation. Training consists of an eight-hour course that teaches educators to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders.

The training gives LCISD educators the skills to reach out and provide initial help and support to students who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem and help connect them to the appropriate care. “We are investing in our students by investing in our teachers through training,” said Dr. Jennifer Roberts, director of Student Services with Lamar CISD. “The goal is to equip our teachers to make an informed, positive impact around both mental wellness and suicide prevention.” Mental Health First Aid began in Australia in 2001 and also includes risk factors and warning signs of mental

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT I COMMISSIONING At Rice & Gardner Consultants, Inc. we act as an extension of our clients by offering comprehensive, custom services from concept to closeout

health problems; information on depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis and addiction disorders; a five-step action plan to help someone developing a mental health problem or in crisis; and professional, peer and self-help resources. Texana Center is a nonprofit organization that provides behavioral healthcare and intellectual disabilities services primarily to residents of Austin, Colorado, Fort Bend, Matagorda, Waller and Wharton counties. Texana Center started providing Mental Health First Aid training in 2014 and has trained educators in five other school districts as well as many others outside of the education field.

AUTOMOBILE: GMC Terrain Denali 6161 Savoy Drive, Suite 1212, Houston, TX 77036 I 713.482.2300 I www.ricegardner.com

access is

providing your family with great health care By BARBARA FULENWIDER The GMC Terrain Denali is a lovely vehicle in every way. It drives well, has outstanding interior and exterior design, and a 2.0-liter turbo engine that makes enough horsepower and torque to get you out of tight spots. The compact SUV got some new available bells and whistles for 2019 that include available surround vision, adaptive cruise control and front pedestrian braking added to the available Driver Alert Package II, and a HD rear vision camera. The standard 2.0-liter, turbo DOHC four cylinder VVT engine in the Terrain Denali makes 252 horsepower at 5500 and 260 torque at 2500. The engine is paired to a 9-speed automatic transmission with electronic precision shift and a traction select system. Cargo space behind the rear seat is 29.6 cu.-ft., with the rear seat folded it is 63.3 cu.ft. and is 82 cu.-ft. when both the front passenger seat and rear seat are folded. The trailering capacity of the Terrain is 3,500 pounds. As for Denali-exclusive exterior features the Terrain has a satin-chrome multidimensional grille, LED headlamps with signature lighting, 19-inch machined aluminum wheels with dark-painted pockets and

bright roof rails, door handle surrounds, outside mirror caps and body side molding. Inside the Terrain Denali gets its own special leather trimmed seats and heated front seats, center console with pass-through storage underneath, fold-flat front passenger seat and fold-flat rear seat which provide more space for stowing longer items and make it easier to load cargo. Other comforts include an 8-way power driver’s seat with 2-way power lumbar, memory package for the driver’s seat and outside mirrors, 6-way power front passenger seat with 2-way power lumbar and a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel. There is also dual-zone automatic climate control, a 110-volt power outlet, four data/charging and two charge only USB ports, an eight-inch diagonal GMC infotainment system with navigation and support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Denali logo aluminum sill plates and specific Denali interior trim color. Other highlights on the Terrain Denali are a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot that includes a onemonth data trial; a 4.2-inch multi-color driver information center; Teen Driver; keyless open and start and remote start; seven speaker Bose sound system with amplifier

in the center console, and an available comfort package that includes ventilated front seats, heated rear seats and wireless device charging. Safety features abound and include a collapsible pedal assembly, standard rear-vision camera, rear seat reminder alerts when the second row doors are opened before the vehicle is started, and a Driver Alert Package 1 that is standard. It includes lane change alert with side blind zone alert, rear park assist, rear cross trafﬁc alert and safety alert driver seat. The Driver Alert Package II is an option that includes more safety features. They are low speed forward automatic braking, forward collision alert lane keep assist with lane departure warning, following distance indicator, adaptive cruise control, front pedestrian braking and IntelliBeam headlamps. For all that, the Terrain Denali retails for $39,500. Extras included the Driver Alert Package II, advanced safety package, comfort package and trailering equipment, which added $3,055 and came to $42,555. Do consider taking a test drive in the Terrain before you buy. You will be glad you did.

Because every child deserves it, we make quality health care affordable to all parents. Medicaid, Chip and private a insurance is accepted. A sliding fee scale is also available for those who qualify. 281-342-4530 myaccesshealth.org

INDEPENDENT • SEPTEMBER 5, 2018 • Page 8

COMMUNITY

Preparation begins for National Night Out events

With the National Night Out not too far away, the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office is already preparing for the big event. “National Night Out is a wonderful event and a great opportunity for the Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement personnel to get to know and to visit with the citizens they protect,” said Sheriff Troy E. Nehls. “Just as important is the opportunity for neighbors to come together, get to know each other and forge relationships aimed at fighting crime. “With that said, we want to give as many residents as possible the opportunity to visit with our personnel and get a look at our assets,” Nehls said. Rather than just a one-night event, the Sheriff’s Office is providing residents an opportunity to hold their block parties on the following dates: Saturday, Sept. 8; Tuesday, Sept. 11; Saturday, Sept. 15; Tuesday, Sept. 18; Saturday, Sept. 22; Tuesday, Sept. 25; and Tuesday, Oct. 2. Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office deputies will be attending gatherings around the county to offer information and answer questions. Residents are welcome to request Sheriff’s Office personnel to attend their block parties. To arrange for deputies to attend, contact Deputy Gerard Argao in the Community Services Division – Crime Prevention Unit online at socp@fortbendcountytx.gov to register a date and time. “Fighting crime is a community effort,” Nehls added. “Help from our citizens is vital to succeed in the battle against crime.”

Sienna friends & family home tour

From Sept. 1 to Oct. 31, buyers can explore more than 20 professionally decorated model homes by 16 nationally recognized builders. A number of inventory homes — many ready for immediate move-in — also will be on display. “One of the things we are most proud of is the number of residents who recommend us to others,” said Alvin San Miguel, general manager for Sienna Plantation. “Sienna oﬀers buyers a unique opportunity to enjoy a lavish lifestyle no matter what their budget is,” San Miguel said. Once moved in, residents enjoy access to four recreation complexes including the new Sawmill Lake Club that oﬀers the community’s fifth onsite pool. Sienna Plantation also boasts miles of trails, parks, playgrounds, a golf club, horse stables, a sports complex and events Sienna Plantation is launching a Friends & Family Home Tour showcasing model homes, planned by an on-site events and move-in ready homes and the signature “Sienna Lifestyle.” Visit www.siennaplantation.com. recreation team.