EXCLUSIVE: Conroe City Councilwoman Marsha Porter responds to recall efforts

THE WOODLANDS, TX – Recently and reported by Woodlands Online, Conroe City Council in a 3-2 vote enacted the termination process for Conroe City Administrator Paul Virgadamo and Conroe CFO Steve Williams. Virgadamo was subsequently terminated after 25 years working for the city; Williams tendered his resignation before he could be terminated. A “lack of transparency, lack of communication, and a growing unhealthy culture” were cited among the reasons for the terminations.

Subsequently, Conroe City Councilwoman Marsha Porter was accused of retaliation, incompetence, and fraud with a petition to have a recall on the ballot for May 2023 for her position. This is a potential unique issue for Conroe and the County as there is no precedence of doing a recall on an elected position.

Councilwoman Porter, in an exclusive statement to Woodlands Online, had several words on the matter.

“I’ve been outvoted over the past two years in an effort to stop impulsive and decadent spending in the City of Conroe. The greatest example of this was my opposition to the city entering into a cost-plus contract to build and operate a luxury hotel and conference center.

“Despite my best efforts to stop it, the city also surrendered its right to sue should there be any disagreements. Many on our current council like to label themselves as conservatives. Yet, how many of these self-labeled conservatives voted for the reckless spending of our tax dollars? Now that I’m joined by two more fiscal conservatives on council, we have a real chance to stop the bleeding. If those wishing to recall me are doing so because they think I’m a big spender, I encourage them to check my voting record. I’m a conservative not because I call myself one. I’m a conservative because I behave like one.

“I am accused of raising tax rates and cutting the budgets for Fire and Police [Departments]. Let's be clear: at the last mid-term financial retreat, Duke Coon, myself, and a couple of council members advocated adding firefighters and police. We circled back to the issue several times. As a result, we have added eight firefighters and ten police officers with a small grant to offset additional 10 police officers, for a total of 20.

“Why has the tax rate increased? The Tax Appraisal District has raised the assessed value of homes and it appears that our City Council is raising taxes. I personally am very uncomfortable with raising any taxes. Unfortunately, I have no control over tax appraisals. My hope is the Chief Appraiser becomes an elected position to be accountable to voters. As a city councilwoman, I voted to provide a $40,000 Homestead Exemption for disabled and residents over 65. Their property taxes will actually decrease.

“Looking ahead, there are plans to provide four firefighters on each fire apparatus. The construction of Fire Station #8 is on the plan for 2024. A plan is in place for additional homestead exemption for all taxpayers from 2.5% up to 20%.

To those who believe or have been told otherwise, hear my words: I will not cut fire and police. Check my voting record: in my 10-plus years on the council, I have never made cuts to either department. Bottom line, we funded fire and police, gave the citizens of Conroe exemptions, and forced the tax rate from $043.75 to $042.30 cents per $100 value.”

Woodlands Online will provide updates on this developing situation as the 2022 election season continues.