Several initiatives were approved during the Montgomery County Commissioners Court meeting Tuesday morning. Here is what you need to know:

Budget packet for fiscal year 2017-18: Commissioners discussed preliminary budget projections during Tuesday's meeting. Precinct 3 Commissioner James Noack is urging departments to cut their budgets by 5 percent, while Precinct 1 Commissioner Mike Meador and County Judge Craig Doyal urged department heads to create a budget that reflects the true needs of the department and also create one that shows the effect of a 5 percent budget cut on their respective department. The 5 percent cuts may be necessary because of the 20 percent homestead exemption that was approved by Commissioners Court in March.

Veterans Memorial Park: Former County Judge Jimmy Edwards updated commissioners on the ongoing effort to build a new Veterans Memorial Park in Conroe. He announced the existing memorial park will be decommissioned Nov. 12 with a formal ceremony. He also announced he is talking to state agencies for possible funding contributions for the new park.

Road improvement contracts: Commissioners approved a $29,050 contract with Goodwin-Lasiter-Strong for engineering services on Calvary Road between I-45 and Hwy. 75. The court also approved a $683,443 contract with Cobb, Fendley & Associates Inc. for engineering services for Keenan Cut Off Road.

The court also approved a contract with The Holzwarth company to assist the county in developing and implementing project funding from the 2015 Montgomery County road bond. The county will be billed based on hourly rates.

New school zone on Rayford Road: Commissioners approved a new 25 mph school zone between Discovery Creek Road to Waterbend Cove. The zone will be effective between 7:15 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3 to 4:30 p.m.