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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.