VOL 7 No. 37
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FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014
P. O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623
Official newspaper of Fort Bend County, Missouri City & Sugar Land
Stafford pays off all debt, enters ‘stratosphere’ By BARBARA FULENWIDER Stafford may be the only city to be in the stratosphere after retiring all its debts. Mayor Leonard Scarcella in his budget presented on Sept. 3, said, “Stafford has entered the stratosphere of fiscally responsible municipalities. This document tonight is missing something found in just about every governmental budget: an outstanding general obligation debt service payment.” Since prices on just about everything have risen, it’s no srurprise that the budgets for cities have too. For 2014-15, Scarcella proposed a budget of just under $26 million for the city and Stafford Economic Development Corp. (SEDC). The property tax will continue to be zero and the city’s general obligation debt will also be zero. It was celebrated at a “virtual” burning at council’s Sept. 3 meeting.
The mayor said the debt took 15 years to retire and that last week the city made the final payment of just more than $220,000. While totally out of debt, he noted that the city has to hold the line where and when it can because it “cannot assume there will be sufficient revenues to cover expenditures --especially when emergency services, etc. continue to multiply while producing only minimal increases in revenues.” Scarcella said sales taxes will generate $15.6 million and half of that will go to the general fund and the other will be split between the municipal sales tax fund and the SEDC. The major items that constitute the $15.6 million are the franchise tax, with an expected $1.8 million in revenues and the hotel occupancy tax and fines and violations, which amount to $1.2 million. On the spending side of the ledger the biggest outlay
is always personnel and this year that is expected to be $11,400,000 or 44 percent of the budget. The total includes salaries, a three percent across the board raise for all fulltime employees and benefits of health, life, dental and disability insurance programs, retirement, etc. Two part-time positions, one in the municipal court and the other in the fire department, were made fulltime. This year the Stafford Police Department’s budget came in at $6.2 million for operations and equipment. The budget for the fire department is $1.8 million. Both departments were extensively restructured for more efficiency and significant salary and compensation increases were put in place for police. The police department has 60 employees and the fire department, 91. Scarcella said costs for See STAFFORD, Page 3
Texana’s new autism program opens in Sugar Land Opening Celebration of the Children’s Center for Autism at Sugar Land took place on September 4 and will serve Medicaid and low income families in the Sugar Land, Stafford and Missouri City Area. The renovation of the building and the operation expenses are being funded through the Texas Healthcare Transformation and Quality Improvement Program (1115 Waiver). However, community donations have also been received from the Exchange Club of Sugar Land, Fort Bend Cares, Fred & Mabel R. Parks Foundation to help equip and furnish the classrooms. Kate Johnson-Patagoc, Director, Specialized Children’s Services said “The center has been specifically designed to meet the needs of children with an autism diagnosis. “For example, children with
Quail Valley Garden Club’s Yard of the Month
Quail Valley Garden Club Yard of the Month goes to Bruce and Margie Putman of 3119 West Creek Club. They received a Certificate of Appreciation and a plant from Flowers by Adela. Desiring mature trees and a view, in 3 years Bruce and Margie have done extensive work, inside and out. Did we get a surprise when we visited the back garden! The Putmans donated the fountain on Quail Valley Number 10 El Dorado Golf Course for all to enjoy! The front garden frames the home, takes advantage of existing trees and uses plants and textures for an informal “we’re home” feeling. This garden is a great drive by to get renovation ideas for garden and home alike. QV Garden Club starts its new programs on Sept. 11 as well as begins its caladium pre-sale. Take a peek at how home owners are updating then visit our home page for info on programs and caladiums! http://traction.typepad.com/qvgc/yard-of-the-month.html
Judge Vacek Sugar Land City Council split on raising the tax rate to retire
Clifford J. Vacek, judge of the 400th district court in Fort Bend County has announced his retirement effective Oct. 1. Vacek was appointed to the bench in August 2004 by Governor Rick Perry and was elected to the position. Vacek said “It has been an honor and privilege to serve the citizens of Fort Bend County as judge of the 400th District Court. It has been a rewarding experience. My faith in our justice system has been affirmed after witnessing first-hand how seriously our jurors take their duties and responsibilities and how hard they try to do the right State Rep. Rick Miller, left, presents a Resolution to George thing in each case.” Patterson CEO of Texana Center. Vacek plans to spend more an autism diagnosis often have different environments. time with his family and friends difficulty generalizing to novel “To address this issue, we and catching up on chores situations and have to be taught installed a wide-variety of difaround the ranch. He said “I specifically how to respond in ferent See TEXANA, Page 2 have got a couple of young cow dogs that need training and I haven’t been able to find the time to do it.” He also plans to spend more time outdoors hunting and fishing. During his time on the bench Vacek has tried hundreds of jury cases and is very proud of the fact that not one single criminal case that was tried before a jury has been reversed on appeal and no jury case, civil or criminal, has had to be retried. “I have tried very hard to be fair to all sides in every case and to follow the law as I understood it,” he said. Vacek plans to remain active in the legal profession by engaging in a limited law practice after taking some time off to relax and making needed repairs at the ranch. The governor is expected to make an appointment to Vacek’s position and it is customary for the senior senator representing the area to make a recommendation.
Plant Sale: Native & Seasonal Children’s Activities Bee Keeping Butterfly Garden Arts, Crafts, Food Vendors
By SESHADRI KUMAR Sugar Land City Council voted 4-3 on Sept. 2 to set the city property tax rate at 31.595 cents per $100 property valuation. Earlier, during a public hearing on the proposed tax rate at least four people spoke against increasing the tax rate by one cent per $100 property valuation to 31.895 cents. The administration proposed the one cent tax hike to borrow about $10 million toward the bond projects that voters approved last November. Councilmembers Joe Zimmerman and Steve Porter sought to keep the one cent tax increase to fund the bond projects. Councilman Harish Jajoo was opposed to any tax increase and he wanted to find the money needed for the bond project elsewhere in the budget. That people voted for the bond did not mean the tax rate must be increased and that should be the last resort, he said. Councilman Himesh Gandhi said to fund all the projects in the budget, a 0.7 cent tax increase is suffiicient and one cent increase would yield more than the budgeted amount. Since a 0.7 cent in-
crease accurately reflected the budget, he proposed that the tax rate be raised by 0.7 cent. Mayor Jimmy Thompson and Councilmembers Bridgette Yeung and Amy Mitchell supported Gandhi. Thus, Zimmerman’s motion to increase the tax rate by one cent failed. Jajoo voted no because he opposed any tax increase. During the public hearing Sugar Land resident Bruce Bond said one of the major propositions in the bond election did not pass and a half cent tax increase may be justified, not the full one cent. Upendra Sahu urged the council to find ways to cut costs and reduce expenditures, instead of increasing taxes. “We should be fiscally conservative. Find creative ways to cut costs and give some money back to the taxpayers,” he said. Teresea Raia said she was part of the group which defeated the bond. The city is getting a windfall from increased appraisal values, she said. “It is time for you all to tighten your belts. You expect us to tighten our belts. We are tired of it. You can’t even get up in the morning and flush the toilet without being taxed. See TAX, Page 5 FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE.
12551, Emily Court, Sugar Land, TX 77478 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 623, Sugar Land, TX 77487 www.fbindependent.com Seshadri Kumar 281-980-6745 Publisher & Editor 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, Sugar Land, Texas 77478. Periodicals Postage Paid at Stafford, Texas. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Fort Bend Independent, P.O. Box 623, Sugar Land, Tx 77487.
Saturday, Sept 27 8:30 am to 1:30 pm Historic Sugar Land, KC Hall & Grounds 702 Burney @ St. Theresa Blvd Sponsor/Vendor info www.SugarLandGardenClub.org
Presenting Sponsor of “The Great Grow” Children’s School Garden Competition