The Woodlands Township Board meets, discusses financials, approves homestead exemptions

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- The Woodlands Township Board of Directors held a regular meeting on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, wherein they discussed a variety of topics including Resolution 009-23 regarding Homestead and 65 and older/Disabled exemptions, the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and the Single Audit of The Township’s 2022 financial records. The Board also received quarterly updates from Law Enforcement and others.

On the Regular Agenda, the Board approved Resolution 009-23 increasing the 65 and older or disability exemptions to $50,000 from $40,000 of the appraised home value and adopted a 3% general residential homestead exemption. Township President and Chief Executive Officer Monique Sharp presented the Board with a comparison of property tax rates and homestead exemptions from local peer cities.

Among the peer cities, including those with homestead exemptions, The Woodlands has the lowest property tax rate at $0.185 per $100 of appraised value. For example, Township property tax paid on a median home of $500,000 is $925, which is less than 10% of the overall tax bill in Montgomery County and less than 8% of the overall tax bill in Harris County.

View The Township 65 and Older/ Disability Exemption and Homestead Exemption Presentation

The Woodlands Township remains financially strong and can expand upon services and amenities offered to residents. In a recent survey, 95% of The Woodlands residents rated the services provided by The Township as either very good or a good value for the money.

The Board was also presented with the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and the Single Audit of The Township’s 2022 financial records. An audit of The Woodlands Township’s financial records is conducted annually by an independent audit firm to ensure the Township’s financial transactions and statements are properly documented, recorded and presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. The audit of the Township’s 2022 financial records was conducted by Blazek & Vetterling, Certified Public Accountants.

Next on the Agenda, the Board received an update from Township Director of Human Resources Angela Branch regarding the 2023 Employee Compensation and Classification Study performed by Evergreen Solutions, LLC.

The Board approved the following for implementation effective August 1, 2023:

• Adopt the market-responsive pay plans proposed by Evergreen Solutions, LLC, for General Employees, Fire and Dispatch.

• Authorize the President/Chief Executive Officer and Director of Human Resources to make adjustments to employee salaries as appropriate based on Evergreen's class parity (time in current position) implementation option. View 2023 Compensation & Classification Study

The Board also received quarterly updates from law enforcement reporting new crime trends such as online/phone fraud, mail theft and internet scams. Also on the rise are internet crimes involving minors. Law enforcement encourages parents to please take a moment to discuss the safe parameters for using social media with your children and report any incidents to local law enforcement.
View 2023 Montgomery County Sheriff's Office Public Safety Report - 1st Quarter
View Montgomery County Precinct 3 Public Safety Report - 1st Quarter

Township Director Richard Franks provided an update on the Village Presidents’ Council and informed the Board that Township Chief Operating Officer Dr. Chris Nunes attended the meeting and was able to provide updates on parks development and current Township projects. The Council also discussed upcoming plans for Fourth of July.

On the Consent Agenda, which consists of routine housekeeping items that do not require Board discussion, the Board received Administrative Reports for Law Enforcement and Community Policing for May 2023, approved the proposals for replacement of playgrounds at Cranebrook Park, Forestgate Park and Wendtwoods Park, accepted a bid for the 2023-2026 Township Tree Lighting Service, approved The Woodlands Fire Department budgeted item for high profile vehicle foam tender retrofit modifications, accepted the budget amendment for Grogan’s Mill Village Association’s 2022 Service Agreement funding allocation from The Woodlands Township for fiscal year 2022 (as requested by Director Franks).

The Board of Directors also recognized The Sam Houston State University Bearkats with a proclamation in commemoration of SHSU joining the esteemed Conference USA and for their outstanding academic and athletic achievements.

Members of the public were able to address the Board at the start of the meeting.??

The Woodlands Township Board Meetings may be attended in person, watched live online, or viewed later via recording at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/meetingvideos . The agenda and attachments may be viewed at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/991/Agendas-Minutes-and-More.???

?PHOTO: The Woodlands Township Board of Directors issued a proclamation recognizing the Sam Houston State University Bearkats. Pictured left to right: Vice Chairman Kyle Watson, Director Brad Bailey, Secretary Linda Nelson, Chairman Dr. Ann K. Snyder, Dr. Alisa White, Bobby Williams, Dr. McCartney Johnson, Director Dr. Shelley Sekula-Gibbs, Treasurer Richard Franks.