The 2016-17 Montgomery County Commissioners Court from left:
James Noack, Jim Clark, Judge Craig Doyal, Mike Meador and Charlie Riley[/caption] Montgomery County Commissioners Court made several decisions during its Jan. 24 meeting. Here are four things commissioners discussed:

1. Countywide towing program under consideration

County officials are considering the creation of a countywide towing program that would help owners tow vehicles that have stalled on the side of the road free of charge. The program would be intended to improve safety for people who may otherwise try to replace flat tires or repair stalled vehicles on highly trafficked roadways. The program would be an initiative of the Houston-Galveston Area Council and use federal funds. The H-GAC is launching the program within the city of Houston and is planning to branch out to nearby counties, such as Montgomery County, within a year of its inception, said Alan Clark, H-GAC’s director of transportation planning.

2. Commissioners interviewing LSGCD board candidates

The commissioners court will interview several candidates for appointment to the Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District board of directors in a workshop session after its Feb. 14 meeting. Local municipalities and utility providers currently appoint the LSGCD board. However, that has been a point of contention for the city of Conroe, which has petitioned state officials to convert LSGCD board positions into elected positions. The court also approved a resolution supporting state legislation that would turn the LSGCD board positions into elected positions.

3. New code of ethics approved

Commissioners approved a new code of ethics for Montgomery County. Along with outlining a code of ethics, the initiative also creates an ethics committee composed of appointed private Montgomery County citizens who are not employed by the county. The court will evaluate procedures to implement the policy—including the structure of the committee and protections for county employees from frivolous claims—at a future meeting.

4. Court recaptures property taxes

County commissioners authorized the recapture of property taxes from Jyoti Americas, LLC—which the court declared in default of its 2011 tax abatement agreement. The amount recaptured by the county is unknown.