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THE WOODLANDS, Texas – The Woodlands Township Board of Directors held its regular monthly Board Meeting Wednesday, August 25, 2010, at the Township Service Center and adopted its 2011 Budget.
Leading up to the adoption of the 2011 Budget, the Board of Directors engaged in a detailed review of the budget’s components during five workshops held in late July and early August, as well as conducted a Town Hall meeting and two public hearings that focused exclusively on the Township’s 2011 budget and five-year business plan. Projected revenues of $81.0 million, combined with bond proceeds for fire department, park and pedestrian pathway projects approved by the voters in November 2009, will fund $86.8 million of operating and capital expenditures.
The tax rate for the 2010 billing will be set at a special meeting of the board, to be held Tuesday, August 31, 2010, at 9 a.m. at The Woodlands Township Board Chambers, 10001 Woodloch Forest Drive, Suite 600, The Woodlands, Texas 77380.
“This has been a challenging budget with healthy discussions, and I believe this budget process has been exemplary,” said The Woodlands Township Board Chairman Bruce Tough. “The property tax rate that we intend to establish will allow us to provide quality services and facilities to the residents and businesses of The Woodlands, specifically enhanced law enforcement coverage, which is a top priority. I would like to thank the Board of Directors and the staff of The Woodlands Township for their work in preparing this budget and their service in making The Woodlands one of the best places in the world.”
Also during the meeting, the Board recognized Conroe ISD for earning an exemplary rating by the Texas Education Agency. Conroe ISD is the only district of the state’s largest 25 districts to achieve the rating of Exemplary. One factor contributing to Conroe ISD’s success is that 96 percent of the schools in the district have earned either exemplary or recognized. Conroe ISD also had a graduation rate of 97.7 percent, which is the highest rate of Texas’ 25 largest school districts.
“The Woodlands Township is extremely proud of the hard work Conroe ISD has done with all the schools in our district,” said Township Chairman Bruce Tough. “It speaks to the character of the district’s board, superintendent, teachers and students.”
Accepting the honor was Superintendent Dr. Don Stockton, Second Vice President John Husbands, Secretary and Past President Dr. Ann Snyder, Assistant Secretary Chris Irish, Immediate Past President Lynda Sasser and Past President Gerald Irons, Sr.
In addition, the Township Board recognized the achievements of The Woodlands lifeguards, who have retained the title of Texas State Lifeguard Champions for a third year in a row.
The Woodlands Township winning team, under the direction of Aquatics Superintendent John McGowan, included Nick Hluza, Trohn Trabona, Caroline Pierce and Erica Hill.
“The Woodlands Township congratulates the team of four lifeguards who have brought a third consecutive state championship to The Woodlands,” said Township Chairman Tough.
The Board considered and acted upon each of the following items on the consent agenda:
1. Approved the minutes of the July 21, 2010 Budget Workshop Meeting, July 22, 2010 Regular Board Workshop, July 27, 2010 Budget Workshop, July 28, 2010 Regular Board Meeting, July 28, 2010 Town Hall Meeting, July 29, 2010 Budget Workshop, July 30, 2010 Budget Workshop, and August 2, 2010 Budget Workshop of the Board of Directors of The Woodlands Township.
2. Awarded the bid for park and pathway maintenance services to BIO Landscape & Maintenance Services. BIO submitted the low bid of $1,074,828 per year.
3. Approved the requests for proposals for solid waste collection consulting services to RW Beck. The company will assist with developing an Invitation for Bids for comprehensive solid waste removal and recycling services.
4. Approved the Facilities Easement Agreement with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in Section 42 of the Village of Sterling Ridge, Restricted Open Space Reserve “B.”
5. Approved the Memorandum of Understanding with the Houston-Galveston Area Council to provide monthly reports on the trolley usage for the purpose of qualifying for the Clean Air Champion Program.
As part of its regular agenda, the Board:
1. Approved the Financial Report.
2. Approved a recommendation from the Public Facilities Administration Committee regarding a proposal from The Woodlands Swim Team to heat Creekwood Swimming Pool. The proposal is a public-private partnership which will extend the swim season for both the swim team and general public at Creekwood Pool.
3. Approved a recommendation from the Public Facilities Administration Committee regarding the issuance of Permits for the Designated Public Space Vending Program. This action revised the current stationary designated vending permit program and established a mobile vending permit program. The programs established an annual permit fee, rules and criteria for vendors to be considered for award of a permit.
4. Approved a concept proposal for The Woodlands Township to assume the operating and maintenance responsibilities for Lake Woodlands and the dam, beginning with the 2011 operating budget.
5. Authorized payment of The Woodlands Township's pro rata share of indebtedness allocable to territory excluded from Montgomery County Emergency Services District No. 10, and approve a budget amendment in connection therewith.
6. Approved the First Amendment to Facilities Use Agreement with Lone Star College for The Woodlands Emergency Training Center.
7. Gave support of a grant application to the Houston-Galveston Area Council by the Brazos Transit District to construct an intermodal transit terminal and parking garage on property owned by The Woodlands Township, adjacent to the existing Six Pines Drive parking garage.
8. Authorized contracts for “tail” directors and officers liability insurance coverage for The Woodlands Community Association, The Woodlands Association, and The Woodlands Commercial Owners Association.
9. Approved a report regarding the status of refunding of The Woodlands Township’s outstanding Sales and Use Tax and Hotel Occupancy Tax Bonds, Series 2001, including selection of an underwriter for the proposed refunding bonds. This marks one step closer towards a major refinancing of some of the Township’s older bonds. The Township formally hired the underwriters for the refunding bonds. Southwest Securities, Inc. was named as the lead underwriter. Co-managers will include Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc., Stifel, Nicolas & Company, Incorporated and Stephens Inc. The Board expects to approve bond documents at the pecial meeting on August 31 and to lock the rates on the refinancing in mid-September. Current estimates are that the refinancing could save approximately $4.5 million in present value.
10. Approved amending the hotel occupancy tax order to include provisions for supplemental hotel occupancy tax collections to begin January 1, 2011. The collection of an additional one percent hotel occupancy tax will begin January 1, 2011 by hotels in The Woodlands.
11. Adopted an order imposing an events admissions tax effective January 1, 2011. This will apply to tickets purchased for events at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion and proceeds will be used to fund cultural arts programs in The Woodlands.
Source: The Woodlands Township
Leading up to the adoption of the 2011 Budget, the Board of Directors engaged in a detailed review of the budget’s components during five workshops held in late July and early August, as well as conducted a Town Hall meeting and two public hearings that focused exclusively on the Township’s 2011 budget and five-year business plan. Projected revenues of $81.0 million, combined with bond proceeds for fire department, park and pedestrian pathway projects approved by the voters in November 2009, will fund $86.8 million of operating and capital expenditures.
The tax rate for the 2010 billing will be set at a special meeting of the board, to be held Tuesday, August 31, 2010, at 9 a.m. at The Woodlands Township Board Chambers, 10001 Woodloch Forest Drive, Suite 600, The Woodlands, Texas 77380.
“This has been a challenging budget with healthy discussions, and I believe this budget process has been exemplary,” said The Woodlands Township Board Chairman Bruce Tough. “The property tax rate that we intend to establish will allow us to provide quality services and facilities to the residents and businesses of The Woodlands, specifically enhanced law enforcement coverage, which is a top priority. I would like to thank the Board of Directors and the staff of The Woodlands Township for their work in preparing this budget and their service in making The Woodlands one of the best places in the world.”
Also during the meeting, the Board recognized Conroe ISD for earning an exemplary rating by the Texas Education Agency. Conroe ISD is the only district of the state’s largest 25 districts to achieve the rating of Exemplary. One factor contributing to Conroe ISD’s success is that 96 percent of the schools in the district have earned either exemplary or recognized. Conroe ISD also had a graduation rate of 97.7 percent, which is the highest rate of Texas’ 25 largest school districts.
“The Woodlands Township is extremely proud of the hard work Conroe ISD has done with all the schools in our district,” said Township Chairman Bruce Tough. “It speaks to the character of the district’s board, superintendent, teachers and students.”
Accepting the honor was Superintendent Dr. Don Stockton, Second Vice President John Husbands, Secretary and Past President Dr. Ann Snyder, Assistant Secretary Chris Irish, Immediate Past President Lynda Sasser and Past President Gerald Irons, Sr.
In addition, the Township Board recognized the achievements of The Woodlands lifeguards, who have retained the title of Texas State Lifeguard Champions for a third year in a row.
The Woodlands Township winning team, under the direction of Aquatics Superintendent John McGowan, included Nick Hluza, Trohn Trabona, Caroline Pierce and Erica Hill.
“The Woodlands Township congratulates the team of four lifeguards who have brought a third consecutive state championship to The Woodlands,” said Township Chairman Tough.
The Board considered and acted upon each of the following items on the consent agenda:
1. Approved the minutes of the July 21, 2010 Budget Workshop Meeting, July 22, 2010 Regular Board Workshop, July 27, 2010 Budget Workshop, July 28, 2010 Regular Board Meeting, July 28, 2010 Town Hall Meeting, July 29, 2010 Budget Workshop, July 30, 2010 Budget Workshop, and August 2, 2010 Budget Workshop of the Board of Directors of The Woodlands Township.
2. Awarded the bid for park and pathway maintenance services to BIO Landscape & Maintenance Services. BIO submitted the low bid of $1,074,828 per year.
3. Approved the requests for proposals for solid waste collection consulting services to RW Beck. The company will assist with developing an Invitation for Bids for comprehensive solid waste removal and recycling services.
4. Approved the Facilities Easement Agreement with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in Section 42 of the Village of Sterling Ridge, Restricted Open Space Reserve “B.”
5. Approved the Memorandum of Understanding with the Houston-Galveston Area Council to provide monthly reports on the trolley usage for the purpose of qualifying for the Clean Air Champion Program.
As part of its regular agenda, the Board:
1. Approved the Financial Report.
2. Approved a recommendation from the Public Facilities Administration Committee regarding a proposal from The Woodlands Swim Team to heat Creekwood Swimming Pool. The proposal is a public-private partnership which will extend the swim season for both the swim team and general public at Creekwood Pool.
3. Approved a recommendation from the Public Facilities Administration Committee regarding the issuance of Permits for the Designated Public Space Vending Program. This action revised the current stationary designated vending permit program and established a mobile vending permit program. The programs established an annual permit fee, rules and criteria for vendors to be considered for award of a permit.
4. Approved a concept proposal for The Woodlands Township to assume the operating and maintenance responsibilities for Lake Woodlands and the dam, beginning with the 2011 operating budget.
5. Authorized payment of The Woodlands Township's pro rata share of indebtedness allocable to territory excluded from Montgomery County Emergency Services District No. 10, and approve a budget amendment in connection therewith.
6. Approved the First Amendment to Facilities Use Agreement with Lone Star College for The Woodlands Emergency Training Center.
7. Gave support of a grant application to the Houston-Galveston Area Council by the Brazos Transit District to construct an intermodal transit terminal and parking garage on property owned by The Woodlands Township, adjacent to the existing Six Pines Drive parking garage.
8. Authorized contracts for “tail” directors and officers liability insurance coverage for The Woodlands Community Association, The Woodlands Association, and The Woodlands Commercial Owners Association.
9. Approved a report regarding the status of refunding of The Woodlands Township’s outstanding Sales and Use Tax and Hotel Occupancy Tax Bonds, Series 2001, including selection of an underwriter for the proposed refunding bonds. This marks one step closer towards a major refinancing of some of the Township’s older bonds. The Township formally hired the underwriters for the refunding bonds. Southwest Securities, Inc. was named as the lead underwriter. Co-managers will include Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc., Stifel, Nicolas & Company, Incorporated and Stephens Inc. The Board expects to approve bond documents at the pecial meeting on August 31 and to lock the rates on the refinancing in mid-September. Current estimates are that the refinancing could save approximately $4.5 million in present value.
10. Approved amending the hotel occupancy tax order to include provisions for supplemental hotel occupancy tax collections to begin January 1, 2011. The collection of an additional one percent hotel occupancy tax will begin January 1, 2011 by hotels in The Woodlands.
11. Adopted an order imposing an events admissions tax effective January 1, 2011. This will apply to tickets purchased for events at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion and proceeds will be used to fund cultural arts programs in The Woodlands.
Source: The Woodlands Township
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