Commissioner Precinct 2· 2023-2026
Walter Smith
Waller County
No biography on file yet.
Contact
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 13
- Total speaking time
- 1:18:49
- Avg per meeting
- 6:04
- Segments
- 1046
Want every word Smith has said?
The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Smith said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.
Top issues during term (20)
Industrial growth and tax abatements in Twinwood and south Brookshire
Abatements reduce near-term tax revenue but are tied to inventory and investment commitments.
Igloo Products tax abatement amendment
Forgone future property tax revenue in exchange for new development; no dollar figures were stated.
2026 tax rate proposal
A 3.5% rate increase means higher county property tax bills for most homeowners.
Employee health insurance overhaul
Premium increases were partially passed to employees last year; participation could reduce future increases.
Constable Salary Grievance Resolution
Roughly $14,000-$15,000 per deputy to reach parity; cost of reserve deputy insurance also under review.
Election administration oversight request
The speaker argued printing ballots with an ineligible candidate wastes county money.
Commercial Property Appraisal Concerns
A change to ag exemption acreage could affect property tax liability for rural landowners.
Mathis Road reconstruction
Funded from the county's road construction budget line, not a new tax.
Precinct 3 building design contract amendment
About $42,500 in added A&E services, plus well and septic costs.
Deerwood Lakes lot sales and septic concerns
Buyers risk losing savings on lots they cannot legally build on.
Igloo Products abatement amendment
Unknown pending the terms of the proposed amendment.
Justice Tower Project
Roughly $3.5 million now for design documents, with a ~$107 million total project budget once soft costs are included.
Flock license plate reader contract opposition
Residents worry data centers could raise electricity costs rather than lower them.
La Sagara Section Two partial replat
Bond reductions shift road maintenance responsibility to the county after the one-year developer period.
Burn ban amid drought
It keeps costs down by letting crews work faster without having to dodge traffic.
Victim services expansion in the DA's office
Funded by salary savings from unfilled positions; no new general revenue requested this session.
Foster care caseload decline and CPS policy changes
The county's annual contribution to the Child Welfare Board doubled to $30,000, and the board holds about $119,000 across its accounts.
Courthouse project spending transparency
Project costs are financed by CO without a public vote; total breakdown not provided at the meeting.
Large subdivision development agreement at Sheffield Rd & FM 1488
The developer pays the county $4 per foot for lots under 5,000 square feet and reimburses legal fees up to $25,000, while funding road and detention improvements.
SB 22 employee overpayments
Small overpayment amounts; collection litigation could cost as much as the amounts recovered.
Decisions during term (566)
Recorded while Smith was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Approval of the agenda
Consent agenda
Item 43 — 911 road-naming variance (memorial naming)
Item 44 — Final plats
Item 45 — Law enforcement in-car video systems
Item 46 — Stream Realty/Tesla abatement assignment
Item 47 — IDV spec building abatements
Item 48 — Igloo Corporation abatement amendment
Item 49 — Precinct 3 building A&E services
Item 50 — Meals on Wheels agreement and resolution
Approval of the agenda
Consent agenda
Item 27 — Final plat approval
Item 43 — Domestic Violence Awareness Month proclamation
Item 44 — Katy High School students proclamation
Item 45 — Appointment of Michelle Gonzalez to Child Welfare Board
Item 48 — Resale tax offer, Deerwood Lakes lots
Item 50 — Updated road assessment via LJA task order
Item 51 — Transportation reinvestment zone study
Item 52 — Withdrawn
Voting record (136)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.