November 2019
Greetings!

Welcome to another edition of Commissioner’s E-Corner !

I write to you with important news concerning your taxes. By a 3-2 vote, the new majority on Harris County Commissioners Court recently rammed through a proposal to impose the largest property tax rate increase allowed by state law without a public vote.

However, long-established state law protects property taxpayers with a check-and-balance requiring the presence of a super-quorum of four court members so these types of attempts against property owners and renters can be thwarted. Our office received 1,286 emails and calls requesting me to stop the tax increase. We also received 30 emails and calls in favor of the tax hike.

On Tuesday, Oct. 8, Commissioner Steve Radack and I chose to represent the overwhelming wishes of our constituents and “voted with our feet” to prevent the proposed “Max Tax” from being adopted. I urge concerned constituents to educate themselves about other Commissioners Court proposals that may affect their lives. You can watch our Commissioners Court meetings live on our Precinct 4 Facebook page to learn more about these issues.

I also proudly announce that Precinct 4 has partnered with the City of Tomball to operate Broussard and Mathews park as one large park. Although Precinct 4 and the City of Tomball will both retain ownership of their respective parks, Precinct 4 will operate the greenspace as a single entity and add amenities like walking trails. The partnership demonstrates that when local governments work together, we can accomplish great things! 

Read more about these improvements, along with information about other upcoming events, activities, and projects in this edition of E-Corner . 

As a reminder, you can access past issues of Commissioner's E-Corner  on the  Precinct 4 website.   Visit Precinct 4 online to learn more about our road projects and upcoming events available through our community centers, parks department, and Senior Adult Program.
 
Featured Articles
Commissioner Cagle 'Votes With His Feet' Against County Tax Increase

Harris County Commissioner R. Jack Cagle missed only his third meeting in more than eight years on Oct. 8 and, in doing so, cast what he believes was one of his most important votes.

By declining to attend that day’s Commissioners Court meeting, commissioners Cagle and Steve Radack denied the court a quorum and blocked what Cagle called an “unwise, unfair and unjustified” tax increase from being imposed on Harris County residents.


Commissioners Cagle, Radack Force Property Tax Cut

Harris County residents have paid the same property tax rate since 2007, but property owners may notice a different number on their tax bill this year. Commissioners Cagle and Radack recently forced a countywide tax rate cut after defeating a proposal to increase taxes by 8%. 

Wondering how these changes will affect your tax bill? We’ve rounded up some of your most frequently asked questions here . 

Answers to your FAQs: What is The Capital Improvement Projects Division?

If you notice new roads in Precinct 4, they’re likely the work of Precinct 4’s Capital Improvement Projects Division.

The team manages dozens of traffic improvement projects each year, including road expansion projects, traffic signals, intersection improvements, and traffic management systems. Click here to read more.

Mathews Park Combines with Broussard Park

The City of Tomball and Precinct 4 signed an interlocal agreement in October joining two small parks into one 20-acre space. 

Although the agreement does not transfer ownership, the agreement authorizes Precinct 4 staff to “establish, provide, maintain, construct, and operate” recreational facilities at the park, while the city will provide a connection to city water facilities and the use of a portion of the barn for county maintenance equipment. The greenspace, which already includes a playground, will feature walking trails, sports fields, a pond, restrooms, and a parking lot. 

HCFCD To Remove 8,500 Dump Trucks Worth of Sediment from Bens Branch

Construction is under way on a major channel in Kingwood.

Harris County Flood Control District plans to restore capacity to Bens Branch from Kingwood Drive to just downstream of West Lake Houston Parkway by removing 76,285 cubic yards of sediment from the stream – enough to fill 8,500 dump trucks. 

The project became a priority after Hurricane Harvey sent record levels of sediment through tributaries of the San Jacinto River and into Lake Houston.

Little Free Library at Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve

Take a book; share a book. That’s the message greeting visitors at Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve’s new miniature library. 

The library includes two wooden benches near an enclosed bookcase along Marshall Lake near the park’s entrance. 

The site has become a popular reading spot at the preserve and a convenient way for community members to trade books. Park visitors are invited to leave their old books and borrow books they’d like to read. 

Pioneer Day at Jones Park

Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center brings the past to life with authentically outfitted reenactors, old-fashioned games, interactive experiences, and musical performances during Pioneer Day on Saturday, Nov. 9, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

The fun kicks off with popular settler-era games and activities in the park’s Redbud Hill Homestead. Visitors are invited to explore the homestead to view live demonstrations in woodworking, blacksmithing, gardening, fire starting, and more.

Commissioners Court Fast Tracks Litigation Against Floodplain Regulation Violators

The Harris County Attorney’s Office gained approval during a recent Commissioners Court meeting to fast track litigation against violators of floodplain regulations.
 
The vote comes months after Commissioners Court approved tougher regulations for building in the floodplain.
In the past, the County Attorney’s Office had to get approval from Commissioners Court to file lawsuits against individuals and businesses who violate floodplain management regulations.
The new streamlined process will shave two to three weeks off the process and allow the county attorney to address a growing number of enforcement cases for violations that range from structures built below elevation requirements to the placement of unpermitted fill in the floodplain.
Local Groups Team Up to Develop Cypress Creek Watershed Protection Plan

The Houston-Galveston Area Council and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality have joined forces with local governments, residents, agricultural interest groups, businesses, and community groups to identify the causes of Cypress Creek's water quality issues and develop a watershed protection plan for Cypress Creek.

The plan will recommend voluntary and effective strategies for reducing fecal pollution in Cypress Creek and identify potential funding sources, timelines, and responsible parties for implementing solutions.  

Cypress Creek in Harris and Waller counties is a popular waterway for recreation and serves as one of the area's water supply sources.

High levels of bacteria in the water threaten public health, the local economy, and the area’s ecology.

For more information, click here .

Upcoming Events
Texas Arbor Day at Mercer Botanic Gardens
Come celebrate Texas Arbor Day on Saturday, Nov. 2, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Mercer Botanic Gardens, 22306 Aldine Westfield Road in Humble. Enjoy a variety of activities and crafts, including face painting and a tree planting extravaganza. Pick up a complimentary tree sapling while supplies last, and visit with a certified arborist for all your tree questions. Guests may also visit the outdoor library corner to explore books and resources on trees and how to care for them. 
Salute to Veterans at Spring Woods Baptist Church
Join Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner R. Jack Cagle, former U.S. Rep. Ted Poe, and veterans of all five military branches for a lively, patriotic salute to the men and women of the community who fought courageously for our country on Thursday, Nov. 7, at 6:30 p.m. at Spring Woods Baptist Church, 10131 Emnora Lane in Houston. Click here to register.
Tribute to Veterans at Humble Civic Center
Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner R. Jack Cagle invites the public to enjoy a catered meal and live entertainment during the annual Tribute to Veterans Dinner and Concert on Wednesday, Nov. 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Humble Civic Center, 8233 Will Clayton Parkway in Humble. The event is free, and reservations are required at www.hcp4.net/encore/events .