▼

Transition and Governance

Show All Answers

1. Where are the FAQ from the 2012 Governance Forums?

Please view the link below. Governance 2012 FAQ

2. Where is my Township Tax bill?

The Associations have discontinued billing since essential community services are being funded, starting January 1, 2010, through the new The Woodlands Township property tax. The Township property tax was included as an additional line item on the J.R. Moore, Jr. Montgomery County Tax Assessor-Collector tax bill mailed annually in the fall. The tax office can be reached by calling 936-539-7897 or by logging on to the Montgomery County Web site www.mctx.org. This Web site may also provide additional useful information.

3. When is my Township Tax due?

The Woodlands Township Property Tax is included on the county tax statement received annually in the fall from J.R. Moore Jr., Montgomery County Tax Assessor-Collector. The Township property tax, along with the other county taxes become delinquent after January 31.

If you own property in Montgomery County, the Township property tax will be included on the Montgomery County Tax Assessor-Collector annual property tax bill. If you own property in Harris County, the Montgomery County Tax Assessor-Collector will send a separate bill for the Township property tax.

4. Where can I call for questions about the Township Tax bill?

Questions about the property tax levied by the Township can be directed to the office of the Montgomery County Tax Assessor / Collector as per the information provided on the tax bill.

5. What does the Township Tax pay for? What services are we paying for? Will I still receive a Homeowners Association Assessment Bill?

Assessments from the Community Associations of The Woodlands have been replaced by The Woodlands Township’s ad valorem property tax. However, there are a few neighborhood associations in The Woodlands that will continue fees. These neighborhoods provide services in addition to and above what The Woodlands Township provides, like front yard service once a week or maybe an extra day of trash collection.

Your ad valorem property tax pays for many essential needs in The Woodlands including the fire department, public safety services, parks, pathways, trash collection, economic development and a number of other items. This current rate was set at 31.73 cents per $100 of assessed value.
2013 Budget

6. I escrow taxes. How do I know if The Woodlands Township Property Tax has been paid?

The best way to determine if The Woodlands Township Property Tax has been paid on the property or properties you own, check the Tax Assessor Collector website for either Montgomery County or Harris County. The phone number is 936-539-7897.

7. What is transition?

Transition refers to the transition of services and operations of the Community Associations of The Woodlands to The Woodlands Township.

8. How do I submit a transition question?

Fill out our contact form to submit a question online.
Contact Us Form

9. Why was a transition necessary?

In the fall of 2007, residents of The Woodlands overwhelmingly voted in favor of expanding the Town Center Improvement District to cover all of The Woodlands, to change the makeup of its Board of Directors to a fully elected board and to authorize the governmental entity to collect an ad valorem property tax.

Town Center Improvement District changed its name to The Woodlands Township, and the Community Associations entered into an agreement that would transfer services and operations to the Township. This created one entity to provide most municipal-type services. Community Associations’ property assessments were replaced with the ad valorem property tax, which will be tax-deductible on federal tax returns, in 2010.

10. What benefit should I see from the transition?

Residents should experience a number of benefits, including:

• Continuation of quality services and amenities
• Consolidated operations and one place to call for service
• One board of directors, fully elected by the community
• More services funded through sales taxes
• Tax-deductible property tax
• Ability for The Woodlands to determine its future governance options

11. When will The Woodlands become a city? Why are we not a city now?

The Woodlands was built as an unincorporated master-planned community within Montgomery County and the extra-territorial jurisdiction of the City of Houston. This means that prior to 1999, the City of Houston had the ability to annex The Woodlands with a vote of the Houston City Council. Parts of The Woodlands were also built within the extra-territorial jurisdiction of the City of Conroe.

In 1999, an agreement was signed that in essence put a moratorium on the ability for Houston to annex The Woodlands and on the ability for The Woodlands to incorporate.

In late 2007, The Woodlands Township signed an agreement with the City of Houston, as well as the City of Conroe, that will allow The Woodlands to contribute to projects of regional and mutual benefit (such as better access to the Houston Medical Center or extending the Hardy Toll Road) in exchange for those cities releasing The Woodlands from potential annexation for a period of 50 years. This agreement gives The Woodlands freedom to determine its future governance once the moratorium agreement expires. Based on legal requirements related to these agreements, the earliest date that an election could be held to determine whether or not The Woodlands residents choose to become a city is May 2014.

In August 2012, The Woodlands Township Board of Directors adopted Resolution 011-12 related to the recent 18-month governance study and community outreach efforts. The resolution states that an incorporation election will be deferred indefinitely. For more detailed information, visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/governance.

12. When are the Township elections?

The Village Associations and the Residential Design Review Committees are elected annually in February. The Woodlands Township Board of Directors election, previously held in May, will be held in November starting in 2013.

13. Are the Village Associations going to continue as they are under the Township?

Yes. The Village Associations are non-profit civic organizations that serve the villages in The Woodlands. The Village Associations plan activities and serve as grassroots forums where issues are discussed. All adult residents are members of their village association. The Village Associations are separate and apart from The Woodlands Township and continue to serve in their current format.

While The Woodlands Township considers the village associations to be an integral part of the community, they are not part of the Township governmental body. The village associations are fully separate and independent organizations. Through the transition agreement, the Township committed to continuing to provide liaisons to the Village Associations as well as election support and funding, which is formalized in an annual service agreement with each of the individual village associations. It is only through the annual service agreement that the Township has a legal relationship to each of the individual village associations.

14. What is the current property tax rate?

Current rates can be viewed online at the Montgomery County Web site.

15. What is the Township?

Please visit the About Us section of the Web site.

16. What exemptions are applicable towards The Woodlands Woodlands Township tax?

The Woodlands Township Board of Directors adopted a resolution April 2010 establishing a $25,000 residential homestead exemption for individuals who are disabled or are sixty-five (65) years of age or older. The other applicable homestead exemption is the State-mandatory Veterans exemption which will vary from 25 percent to 100 percent depending on disability rating by the Veteran's Administration. Other exemptions provided apply to personal property and are also State-mandated exemptions: Lease vehicles not used for earnings, and the Freeport exemption (goods in transit). The forms to apply for these exemptions can be requested at the appropriate Central Appraisal Districts. In Montgomery County, call 936-756-3354, Metro Line 936-441-2186, or visit the Montgomery Central Appraisal District Web site, www.mcad-tx.org. If in Harris County, call 713-957-7800 or visit the Harris County Appraisal District Web site, www.hcad.org.

17. In the event of a sale of a home, would the seller be reimbursed of the tax for the remaining months of the year by the buyer?

Prorated taxes between buyers and sellers are calculated by title companies at the closing of the transaction in accordance with applicable laws and regulations that govern such matters. Please contact your title company representative for questions regarding prorated taxes due at closing.

18. Is The Woodlands, including the new village of Creekside Park, subject to annexation by Houston?

In 2007, The Woodlands Township, including The Village of Creekside Park, entered into an agreement (with Houston) which provides that the City of Houston shall not take any action to annex any part of The Woodlands Township for a term of 50 years. This agreement also provides that on or after May 29, 2014, The Woodlands Township may incorporate as a municipality or adopt an alternate form of local government under Texas State law and upon doing so, will be released from the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the City of Houston.

19. Does Harper’s Landing have representation in The Woodlands Township and the Village Associations?

The neighborhood of Harper’s Landing is located within the boundaries of The Woodlands Township. Residents in Harper’s Landing are able to vote in The Woodlands Township Election. Voters must be registered though, to vote in this election. Additionally, the neighborhood of Harper’s Landing is located within the Village of College Park and is part of the College Park Village Association. As a courtesy, the bylaws and a link to the College Park Village Association website are included on The Woodlands Township website. In addition to the College Park Village Association, Harper’s Landing residents are eligible to run for and vote for the College Park Residential Design Review Committee (RDRC). The election for the RDRC and Village Association positions are usually held in February and information is available under Elections on the Township Web site.