Government & Community Organizations

The Woodlands Township

City of Oak Ridge North

City of Shenandoah

City of Magnolia

City of Conroe

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The Woodlands

Voting Precincts:  Montgomery County ## 3,4,6,32,33,34,45,48,49,56,58,59,61,62,67,69,70,71,75,78,79,81,84 Voting Precincts:  Harris County ## 914,1029 (Creekside Park) Montgomery County Commissioner:  Precincts # 2-Charlie Riley [elect], 3-James Noack Harris County Commissioner:  Precinct # 4 – R. Jack Cagle  (Creekside Park) Texas House:  District #15 – Mark Keough [elect] (Montgomery County), District #150 –Debbie Riddle (Creekside Park) Texas Senate:  District #4 – Brandon Creighton U.S. House:  District #8 – Kevin Brady Also:  MUDs, MCHD, LSCC, ISDs (Conroe, Magnolia or Tomball), SBOE

Master Planned Community

  • Premier master-planned community
  • Approximately 110,000 residents and 2,000 businesses
  • Median family income $110,000 and 35% of families > $150,000
  • Known for extensive parks and recreation, golf, corporate headquarters, schools, places of worship, shopping, dining, hospitality, healthcare, public art and more

Government structure – The Woodlands Township

  • Structured as a Special Purpose District (SPD) since 2011
  • Not an incorporated municipality or city
  • Unincorporated Montgomery County and Harris County (Creekside Park only)
  • Governing authority emanates from and is prescribed by Texas state legislation
  • 7 elected volunteers serve 2 year terms as Directors on governing Board of Directors
  • President/General Manager oversees day to day operations of The Township
  • 50 year agreement with Houston and Conroe prevents annexation of The Woodlands
  • Incorporation of The Woodlands Township requires popular vote

Budget and Financial Picture

  • Strong local economy and stable financial status.
  • Revenue of $120M
  • Revenue:  41% sales tax; 34% property tax, 8% grants, 6% hotel tax and 10% other.
  • General Fund expenditures of $78M or 2/3 of consolidated expenses.
  • Largest General Fund expenditure categories: fire, (26%), parks and rec (20%), community services (19%) and law enforcement (17%)
  • Property tax rate and per capita property tax have been reduced every year since 2011
  • A+ and AA bond ratings

Current Government Services

  • Fire protection
  • Parks, swimming pools, recreation center and pathways maintenance and programming
  • Public safety (limited, enhanced law enforcement)
  • Transportation (limited, commuter buses, trolleys, waterway taxis)
  • Garbage and recycling collection
  • Streetscape maintenance and street lighting
  • Covenant administration and signage
  • Convention & Visitors Bureau and EDP programs
  • Special events
  • Environmental education
  • Neighborhood service

Services NOT Woodlands Primary Responsibility

  • Street and bridge construction, ownership and maintenance – Montgomery and Harris counties, Road Utility District (RUD), Texas Dept of Transportation( TexDOT)
  • Water & sewer – Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs), San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA)
  • Law Enforcement – Montgomery and Harris counties (Sheriff, Constables), Texas DPS)
  • Courts, District Attorney and jails — Montgomery and Harris counties
  • Public schools – Conroe Independent School District (CISD), Tomball Independent School District (TISD), Magnolia Independent School District (MISD)

Unique History and Traditions

  • Founded in 1974 by George P. Mitchell
  • Development continued by several companies — currently Howard Hughes Corporation
  • Citizen volunteers govern (historically: WCA, TWA, TCID; currently: Township Board)
  • 8 Villages: Alden Bridge, Cochrans Crossing, College Park, Creekside Park, Grogans Mill, Indian Springs, Panther Creek and Sterling Ridge
  • Every adult village resident is a member of his/her Village Association (VA)
  • VAs are grassroots civic organizations independently run by elected volunteers
  • Each VA annually sponsors at least one community event
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Oak Ridge North

Voting Precinct: Montgomery County # 31 Montgomery County Commissioner:  Precinct # 3 — James Noack Texas House:  District #15 – Mark Keough [elect] Texas Senate:  District #4 – Brandon Creighton U.S. House:  District #8 – Kevin Brady Also:  MCHD, LSCC, Conroe ISD, SBOE

Background

  • Strip bordering the east side of Interstate 45 with Robinson Road at the center
  • Primarily residential plus limited retail business
  • Roughly 3,000 residents in a compact 1.1 square miles
  • Part-time City Council (Mayor plus 5 council members) elected annually
  • City Manager runs day to day operations in consultation with the Mayor
  • City incorporated in 1979 to prevent feared annexation by Houston

City Services / Departments

  • Police Department
  • Municipal Court
  • Building Department
    • Codes and code enforcement
    • Permits
    • Inspections
    • Zoning
    • Fire Protection
  • Public Works and utility service (garbage and recycling)
  • Parks and RecreationCity Manager, City Secretary, Finance Department
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Shenandoah

Voting Precinct: Montgomery County # 31 Montgomery County Commissioner:  Precinct # 3 — James Noack Texas House:  District #15 – Mark Keough [elect] Texas Senate:  District #4 – Brandon Creighton U.S. House:  District #8 – Kevin Brady Also:  MCHD, LSCC, Conroe ISD, SBOE

Background

  • General law municipality (city), Type A 5 member City Council plus Mayor elected for staggered 2 year terms each
  • Located north of The Woodlands Town Center and straddles Interstate 45.
  • Roughly 2,200 residents on 1.3  square miles
  • Experiencing some growth in residential development
  • Significant commercial tax base along and near north and south I-45 feeder roads

City Services / Departments

  • Police Department
  • Public Works Department
  • Administration, Finance and City Secretary
  • Parks and Recreation
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Magnolia

Voting Precincts: Montgomery County # 13,18,28,29,30,65,66,74,76 Montgomery County Commissioner:  Precinct # 2 – Charlie Riley [elect] Texas House:  District #3 – Cecil Bell Texas Senate:  District #4 – Brandon Creighton U.S. House:  District #8 – Kevin Brady Also:  MCHD, LSCC, Magnolia ISD, SBOE

Background

  • Lies to the west of The Woodlands
  • Rapid growth resulting in water and road challenges
  • Annexation of unincorporated areas under consideration
  • Roughly 1400 residents over 2.1 square miles
  • 5 Member City Council plus Mayor elected to 2 year terms
  • Last “dry” city in Texas
  • Magnolia ISD covers much greater area and maintains 2 high schools

City Services / Departments

  • Police department
  • Municipal court
  • Public Works
  • Permits, Inspections, Utility billing
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Conroe

Voting Precincts:  Montgomery County # 1, 2, 7, 10, 15, 17, 20, 21, 24, 25, 27, 34, 36, 40, 42, 43, 44, 51, 55, 56, 60, 64, 73, 80, 83, 85, 86 Montgomery County Commissioner: Precinct # 1 – Mike Meador, Precinct #4 – Ed Rinehart Texas House:  District # 3 Cecil Bell, District #15 Mark Keough [elect], District #16 open (formerly Brandon Creighton) Texas Senate:  District #3 Robert Nichols, District #4 – Brandon Creighton U.S. House:  District #8 – Kevin Brady Also:  MCHD, LSCC, Magnolia ISD, SBOE

Background

  • Montgomery County seat with typical courthouse in center of downtown area
  • About 40 miles north of Houston on Route 105 off Interstate 45
  • Roughly 62,000 residents, racially and ethnically diverse
  • Expanding by growth and annexation to 52 square miles
  • Largest city In Montgomery County, but smaller than The Woodlands
  • 5 member City Council plus Mayor elected to 4 year terms

City Services / Departments

  • Administration, Human Resources,
  • Community Development
  • Economic Development
  • Engineering
  • Finances
  • Fire Department
  • Legal
  • Municipal Court
  • Parks and Recreation
  • Police Department
  • Public Works, Utility billing
  • Transit
  • Purchasing