Waller County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Waller County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Precinct 3 building design contract amendment
The new Precinct 3 building can't connect to the nearby subdivision's water and sewer for years, so the county is installing its own well, septic, and generator — making it emergency-ready like Precinct 4 — and pushing bidding to January or February.
Courthouse project spending transparency
A Monaville resident delivered a petition asking the court to share cost breakdowns and renderings for the courthouse/justice system project, arguing a certificate of obligation spends money without voter approval while a bond would require a vote.
GIS Program and Support Department Investment
Johnson Development wants to name a collector road in memory of Brittlee Hildebrand, but it conflicts with the county's naming policy because of a similar road name to the north. The engineer sees no emergency-response risk but tabled it to avoid setting precedent without the precinct commissioner present.
Tesla/Empire West tax abatement assignment
The county's 2025 tax abatement deal tied to Tesla's Brookshire-area facility could be assigned to a new owner, Brookshire Commerce Center ILP, LLC. The court's consent keeps the abatement terms in place under new ownership.
Tesla tax abatement agreement assignment
Tesla's abatement deal on the Empire West facilities moves to the new property owner, Brookshire Commerce Center ILP, LLC. The county's consent keeps the abatement terms in place under new ownership.
Proposed IDV QOZB 2023 tax abatements
New proposed tax abatement agreements between the county and IDV QOZB 2023, LLC are up for discussion. Abatements trade future tax revenue for investment and jobs in the county.
Commercial Property Appraisal Concerns
Online chatter claims the appraisal district may raise the ag exemption minimum to 20 acres. Judge Duhon says the chief appraiser has no such plan, and points residents to the appraisal district's May 5 and May 8 meetings — not the tax office — for input.
2027 Legislative Agenda
The county is drafting its legislative agenda, including funding for the detention pond and jail expansion, a new district court, commercial vehicle parking restrictions for neighborhoods, and changes to county assistance district law.
Employee health insurance overhaul
Only 8-9 of 450 county employees actively participate in the wellness program, and rising premiums forced the county to pass costs to employees last year. More participation could keep premiums down.
Spending limits for outgoing officeholders
New policy requires court approval for big spending by officeholders who lost their re-election bids, preventing lame-duck budget drains.
State underfunding of county mandates
Dr. Maddox warned that the legislature cut $4.5 million from the Secretary of State's budget, forcing Waller County's election administrator to run elections on a 2024-level budget despite rapid population growth.
2026 Tax Rate Proposal
The county adopted a tax rate of $0.558466 per $100 of taxable value — a 3.5% increase — which determines how much most homeowners pay in county property taxes this year.
Certificates of Obligation, Series 2026
The court took the first step toward issuing debt by approving publication of notice of intent to issue Certificates of Obligation — borrowing that doesn't require voter approval. Commissioner Beckendorff voted no.
Fiscal Year 2027 County Budget Adoption
Departments requested about $10 million in new spending, but the county expects only $4-5 million in new revenue from new property value. Final appraisal numbers won't arrive until late July, and the court must adopt a proposed budget by mid-August.
Constable Salary Grievance Resolution
Constables pressed the court to pay their deputies the same as sheriff's deputies, citing an 84% jump in papers served and a 103% jump in evictions. The court committed to studying parity and staffing, with grievances pending Thursday.
Appraisal district board vacancy
The court tabled a plan to nominate Tax Assessor Carolyn Midkey as a voting member of the appraisal district board after commissioners raised concerns about the optics of the county's largest customer sitting on that board.
Delinquent tax collections
The county renewed its five-year deal with its delinquent tax law firm at no cost to taxpayers, and scheduled a June resale of ten tax-delinquent properties, including many small lots in Deerwood East where roads were never built.
IT and Facilities Cost Escalation
IT Director Greg said server, firewall, and memory costs have doubled or tripled — driven partly by data centers buying up supply — forcing him to the budget committee mid-year for the first time since 2012.
State Revenue Caps and Local Control
Now the fastest-growing county in Texas and second in the nation, the court voted to join the Conference of Urban Counties for legislative muscle in Austin — with a frank debate about unfunded mandates, 30-day plat review deadlines, and attacks on 'taxpayer-funded lobbying.'
SB 22 employee overpayments
Small grant overpayments spread across more than ten current and former DA employees; the court tabled the question of whether to pursue collections.
Employee health benefits broker agreement
The county hired ANCO Insurance to negotiate its TAC health plan at no upfront cost, with a goal of a zero-deductible, zero out-of-pocket plan for employees. If negotiations don't improve the renewal, the county pays nothing.
FEMA grant repayment for Harvey-era projects
The county is paying back about $10,000 in FEMA grant funds for the Pennick Bridge and McAllister Culvert projects after the state deobligated them — the projects were completed with other funding, so no loss to the county.
Tax Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) exploration
The county has been studying whether to create a TIRZ to reinvest new tax revenue from a developing area back into that area's roads and infrastructure. A constitutional question about whether counties can use the tool is pending, so the DA's office is asking the attorney general. No map has been approved and the item was withdrawn for now.
Appraisal district building purchase (~$10M)
The appraisal district wants to buy and renovate a former event venue, but the estimated cost jumped from $7.5M to about $10M. Commissioners said they lack details on scope, financing, inspections, and who eats cost overruns, and voted it down. The county's share is roughly 20% of the cost.