[caption id="attachment_130250" align="alignright" width="460"] The 2015-16 Conroe City Council includes, from left: Guy Martin, Marsha Porter, Mayor Webb Melder, Duke Coon, Seth Gibson and Gil Snider.[/caption]

Big decisions made in 2015

Lawsuit against Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District On Aug. 31 the city of Conroe voted to challenge LSGCD groundwater conservation mandates that went into effect this year. Under the new policy, county groundwater users must reduce groundwater use to 64,000 acre feet per year.

April Sound annexation lawsuit Following the annexation of the April Sound community at the end of 2014, City Council voted to hire the Olson & Olson LLP law firm in May 2015 to defend the city against a lawsuit challenging the annexation.

Top issues for 2016

Water master plan The city of Conroe is developing a new water master plan to evaluate the existing system and possible improvements necessary to accommodate population growth. The plan has been in development since mid-2014 by Lockwood Andrews and Newnam Inc. and will be presented to City Council in February.

Wastewater master plan A new Conroe wastewater master plan is under development by Freese and Nichols Inc. The 25-year plan outlines necessary projects to accommodate future growth. The city will prioritize projects based on growth patterns. The plan will be presented to council in March.

Video coverage

Meetings are televised live on Suddenlink Channel 12 at 2 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesday, at 6 p.m. the second Thursday and 9:30 a.m. the fourth Thursday of the month.

Terms and compensation

Council members and the mayor are limited to two four-year terms and earn $12,900 and $24,000 per year, respectively.

Meetings

The council meets at 2 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesday, 6 p.m. the second Thursday and 9:30 a.m. the fourth Thursday of the month at City Hall, 300 W. Davis St., Conroe. 936-522-3010. www.cityofconroe.org