Need to catch up on government news from July? Here are six stories from the government beat in Conroe and Montgomery County.
Montgomery County Precinct 1 breaks ground on new community center
Montgomery County Precinct 1 has broken ground on a new community center that will bring more public services, nonprofit support and recreational programs to the Conroe area, according to a June 26 news release.
Once complete, the facility is expected to serve families, seniors and youth through educational classes, community events, youth and senior activities, and other local programming, according to the release. The center will also include an on-site food pantry and space for several local nonprofit organizations.
Read the full story.
San Jacinto River Authority reviews 10-year plans for multiple divisions
At the June 25 regular board meeting, the San Jacinto River Authority reviewed 10-year plans for its Highlands and Lake Conroe divisions, as well as its water supply planning. The 10-year plans detail various projects' purposes and costs that the SJRA would consider approving over the next 10 years.
SJRA Graduate Engineer Jared Marek presented a 10-year project plan for the Highlands Division to the SJRA board. The plan includes updates to the water pump station facilities, addressing aging canal structures and levee rehabilitation, and the expansion of current operations and maintenance.
Read more.
Conroe council reverses in-person rule, allows virtual access to executive sessions
Conroe City Council members can once again participate virtually in closed executive sessions after council voted 3-2 on July 9 to repeal a year-old rule requiring them to attend in person.
Mayor Pro Tem John Sellars and council members Kristin Hoisington and Ken Blevins supported the repeal. Council members Shana Arthur and David Hairel voted against it.
The change allows the mayor and council members to participate in executive sessions by video or telephone when attending a meeting remotely. Executive sessions will remain closed to the public and are used to discuss certain matters, including legal advice, personnel, real estate and pending litigation.
Learn more about the change.
Montgomery County road bond spending tops $102M
Montgomery County has spent more than $102 million from its voter-approved 2025 road bond program, with another round of bond funding likely coming near the end of the year.
During a July 9 Commissioners Court meeting, Budget Officer Amanda Carter said the county has received $188 million in bond proceeds and $3.7 million in interest income, bringing total revenue for the program to $191.7 million.
Find out more about the funding.
Conroe City Council indefinitely tables 2 Flock camera proposals
Two proposals tied to Conroe’s use of Flock Safety cameras were tabled indefinitely July 23 after City Council members voted unanimously to set both items aside.
One proposal would have created a temporary citizens advisory committee to study the city’s use of automated license plate recognition technology. The second would have asked the city attorney to determine whether residents could vote on Conroe’s participation in the Flock program.
The votes do not terminate, suspend or change the city’s Flock agreement. City Council also did not set a date for either proposal to return.
See what officials and residents are saying.
Conroe’s proposed FY 2026-27 budget includes police raises, $29M in capital projects
Conroe officials are weighing a balanced fiscal year 2026-27 budget that would keep the city’s property tax rate unchanged, bring police salaries closer to Montgomery County’s pay structure and fund nearly $29.3 million in general government capital projects.
Chief Financial Officer Ariel Khanh Gibbs presented the proposal as the mayor’s budget during a July 27 workshop, although City Council members can still make changes before adoption.
“What I bring to each of you on council today is a balanced budget, a budget with no tax increase, and a budget that meets our objectives,” Mayor Duke Coon said. “Now it’s up to all of you to move forward on this budget.”
Learn more about the budget.
