The Harris and Montgomery county judges led a discussion Jan. 22 at a North Houston Association meeting regarding growth in the Greater Houston area.

"Of the 4.5 million people who live in Harris County, about 1.7 million live in unincorporated Harris County. But it gets a little bit worse. By the year 2018, more people will live in unincorporated Harris County than live in the city of Houston." - Harris County Judge Ed Emmett

Harris County Judge Ed Emmett said one of the largest issues, specifically in Precinct 4, is that much of the fast-growing area is unincorporated into the city of Houston, and county officials have no ordinance-making authority. "Of the 4.5 million people who live in Harris County, about 1.7 million live in unincorporated Harris County," Emmett said. "But it gets a little bit worse. By the year 2018, more people will live in unincorporated Harris County than live in the city of Houston." He said Harris County has several issues, such as suburban poverty and a lack of federal funding for social services. "More and more people who need indigent health care do not live in the inner city—they live out in the suburbs," he said. Montgomery County Judge Craig Doyal said creating partnerships among city and county leaders is a priority. As the county continues to grow, Doyal said officials must work closely to resolve hot-button groundwater issues.