The president of The Woodlands Township outlined the major tasks ahead for the newly consolidated governing board in 2010.
Norrell“(Township President) Don Norrell has done an excellent job for us to see where we are going and what’s coming up this year,” said Nelda Luce Blair, chairwoman of the township board.
Topping the list will the first fully elected township board in May, when it will convert from an 11 member elected and appointed entity to a seven member elected body.
There are four positions open in the May 8 elections, and three directors, including Blair, Bruce Tough and Peggy Hausman, will remain on the board until 2011.
The township will host a candidate’s school in March for residents who have filed for positions on the township board to provide an overview of the operations and programs at the township, a financial summary including funding sources, and the responsibilities of the new board.
The new board also will have to reorganize some of its committees, since many will exceed the quorum allowed by the Open Public Meetings Act.
The township currently has four committees, including the executive, project and planning, public facilities and governance and nomination. The governance and nomination committee will be charged with bringing recommendations on new committee structures to the township board for a final decision.
With a renewed interest in incorporation, the township may need to tackle a study on future governing options in 2010, Norrell said.
Under a regional participation agreement with Houston, the community may pursue another governing structure after May 2014. Norrell recommends the community begin a study in the fall to create a process and timetable to study and implement any changes.
The township will begin its budget process in March, with an eye towards maintaining services and the current tax rate of 32.8 cents per $100 of assessed value, Norrell said.
The township will begin discussion on a property tax exemption for residents older than 65 at its February meeting, a proposal delayed from 2009.
Norrell said some cities offer exemptions ranging for $10,000 to $25,000. In The Woodlands, each $5,000 senior exemption will result in a loss of $71,500 from the township budget.
The township also will do a capital reserve study to determine how much it would cost to replaces its capital assets, like fire stations, parks and facilities and how much should be set aside in the budget annually in the event of a disaster or emergency.
The township also is in the process of selling a $50 million bond package to fund fire stations, parks and refinance debt, and it expects to issues its first debt by March or April for about $35 million, while anticipating a second bond sale in 2012 for the remain $14.7 million, Norrell said.
Construction on the new fire station for Creekside Park is expected to begin in July, with a station for Indian Springs to commence in Jan. 2011.
Planning for a new Central Fire Station on Grogan’s Mill Road is expected to begin design by the end of the end of the year, Norrell said.
The Woodlands Convention and Visitors Bureau is expected to take over ownership and operations of The Woodlands Waterway Taxis in 2010, with up to $200,000 contribution from the township to refurbish boats and supplement operational costs.
The township also plans to do a study on a permanent site for the Ice Rink at Town Center at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, but the facility is not expected to be built until 2011
Also on the drawing board is a study to extend the Town Center Trolley system to the village centers in the community. The Goodman Corp., was hired to determine the need and ridership for such a service, which would take up to two years to implement.
A new district for The Woodlands Township in The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is expected to be up and running by May with 82 personnel. The sheriff’s office is in the process of hiring 19 new deputies to patrol the streets.
Action Plan for The Woodlands Township in 2010
Woodlands Township President Don Norrell outlined the key issues to be addressed by the township board in 2010 at its meeting Wednesday. Among those are:
• Elect four new board in May and transition the board from 11 to seven members
• Reorganize board committees
• Study of future governing options
• Undertake the 2011 budget process
• Consider an over 65 property tax exemption
• Conduct a Capital reserve study
• Sell general obligation bonds
• Construct fire stations for Creekside Park and Indian Springs
• Negotiate the ownership and operations of the water taxi to Woodlands Convention and Visitor Bureau
• Study a permanent ice rink at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
• Extend trolley service to village centers
• Create Woodlands District in The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office
Source: The Woodlands Township