The audience received a presentation on an overview of The Woodlands Township’s proposed 2011 operating budget and five-year plan and to listen to residents’ concerns. The budget presentation covered an overview of the consolidated budget, sources of revenues, expenditures, debt service and capital projects.
A tax rate of 32.8 cents per $100 valuation was discussed at the meeting which would collect approximately $39.4 million in property tax revenue. This revenue will be used to pay for community policing, covenant enforcement, parks and pathways, aquatics, neighborhood services, garbage collection/recycling, community maintenance, administrative costs, capital outlay not funded by bond proceeds, debt service and community relations. A projected $31.1 million projected to be collected in sales would fund The Woodlands Fire Department, Regional Participation Agreements with Houston and Conroe, economic development zone debt service, Town Center security, Convention and Visitors Bureau, community events promotion, economic development promotion and approximately 20% of community service costs.
Additions to law enforcement and adding two new fire stations (Station 8 Gosling and Station 8 Kuykendahl) as well as firefighters are in the budget.
During public discussion, about 15 people spoke on a variety of topics. A majority of the comments were regarding public safety and the desire for increased law enforcement in The Woodlands, while other topics such as water taxis, mounted horse patrol, and long term community needs were discussed as well. A full video of the meeting can be found at the Video Meetings website of The Woodlands Township website: http://video.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/.
The budget presentation can be found on the Township Web site. Please check the Board Meeting Information page (http://www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/index.aspx?NID=585) for links to agendas, minutes, public meeting documents, videos, reports and summaries of meetings.
For more information on The Woodlands Township, please call 281-210-3800 or visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov.