HCFCD Prop A open house

Save the Date: HCFCD Tax Meeting Scheduled for Kingwood on Oct. 16

10/3/24 – For those who missed the meeting in Atascocita earlier this week, Commissioner Tom Ramsey, PE, has scheduled another meeting to explain the thinking behind Harris County Flood Control District’s Proposition A on the November ballot. The tax meeting will be on October 16 between 6:00 PM and 7:30 PM.

The venue will be the Kingwood Community Center, 4102 Rustic Woods Drive, Kingwood, TX 77345. See poster below.

For a printable PDF, click here.

Why Tax Meeting is Important

Since Hurricane Harvey, the specter of flooding has cast a cloud over Kingwood’s future. Despite Kingwood residents:

…we haven’t yet gotten much help to reduce flooding from Harris County.

Flooding Vs. Funding

These two charts tell the story.

worst first
Chart showing feet above flood stage of 33 gages of misc. bayous in Harris County during Harvey. Humble/Kingwood area at far left.
$ by WS Since Harvey
San Jacinto Watershed ranks 13th out of 23 watersheds despite being the county’s largest.

Shortly after the 2018 flood bond passed, Democratic commissioners changed the “worst first” deal.

Then the same thing happened with the 2022 bond. The lone Republican precinct (which includes Kingwood) was promised a minimum of $220 million by Democratic commissioners. Then they changed the deal after the election. Again. And shortchanged the lone Republican precinct by almost $50 million.

Will It Happen Again?

Go to the meeting and ask some tough questions.

I have mixed emotions about HCFCD Proposition A.

On one hand, it’s true that:

  • Flood Control maintenance budgets have remained flat for many years
  • We’re constantly adding to inventory that needs maintenance
  • Aging assets require more maintenance
  • Years ago, Commissioners looted HCFCD funds for the Hospital District
  • HCFCD could do a better job with more maintenance dollars.

On the other hand, it’s also true that:

  • The amount of the increase is 63%.
  • The publicity is all about maintenance. But the ballot language includes operations.
  • The proposition does not include any commitments about when, where or on what the money will be spent.
  • There’s nothing to preclude another switcheroo.
  • Since announcing the completion of Project Brays in May 2022, HCFCD has spent 2.5X more money on Brays Bayou than it has on the entire San Jacinto River Watershed. That’s through the end of 2Q2024 ($26.5 million vs. $10.5 million).

By the way, Democratic Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis lives in the Brays Bayou Watershed.

Commissioner Ramsey is a fair and honest man. He fights hard for us in every Commissioner’s Court meeting. He’s just outnumbered.

I will see you at the tax meeting. Come with an open mind.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 10/3/24

2592 Days since Hurricane Harvey