The Woodlands Continues Incorporation Discussions

THE WOODLANDS, TX — Officials with The Woodlands Township are moving slowly toward incorporation, but it's proving to be an arduous process.

Some of those issues leaders on the Township board of directors are beginning to study including creating a police department, dealing with transportation, mobility and road improvements, and taxing entities like municipal utility districts.

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Those subjects all dominated the discussion during the June 21 board of directors meeting with consultants, who are helping local leaders hammer out a plan that could help pave the way to becoming the newest city in Montgomery County.

According to The Woodlands Village report, the board of directors will take on each issue individually, beginning with discussions on law enforcement next month, roads in August, and MUD's in September.

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• Woodlands Board Sets Aside $2.5 Million for Incorporation
  
• Potential Incorporation of Woodlands Township a Hot-Button Issue

Becoming a city all of its own has been on the minds of local leaders since 2014, when the affluent Houston area suburb first became eligible for incorporation, and set aside $2.5 million to begin the process.

During the 2016 election cycle, opponents circulated a flyer that warned of a 70 percent tax increase on residents should The Woodlands incorporated that year.

While the board was discussing the patch to incorporation, leaders were not anywhere closer to incorporating and were forced into damage control mode and allay fears of the so-called tax increase trumpeted by political flyers

The Woodlands has a three-way agreement with both Houston and Conroe preventing either city from annexing the community until 2057.

This gives The Woodlands plenty of time to act — roughly 39 years to iron out the rough spots that come with incorporating.

Leaders are also seeking public input on the issue, and have invited residents to send in suggestions and ideas, or attend the meetings to be heard.

The next meeting of The Woodlands Township will be held on Wednesday, June 27 at 6 p.m., with other meetings scheduled for July 19 at 4 p.m., and July 25 at 6 p.m.

Image: Bryan Kirk, Houston Patch Field Editor

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