Here are three agenda items discussed at the July 12 session.
County veterans commission presents park updates
The local nonprofit Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Commission delivered an update through former County Judge Jimmie Edwards about planned projects at the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Park in Conroe.
Two projects include a planned visitors center, anticipated to be completed at the end of the 2023, and a memorial for Gold Star families—or those who have lost a family member in military service—which is anticipated to be completed in 2024, according to Edwards.
“We’re going to continue our hard work; we’ve got a great bunch of people, and we appreciate [the commissioners’] support,” Edwards said. “[Commissioners] are behind us 100%.”
The visitors center is planned to stand at the southeast corner of the park close to the Montgomery County library’s central branch. Edwards said the project’s draft budget comes to a $3.6 million total, with Montgomery County itself providing $300,000 from its fiscal year 2023-24 budget for a 10%-90% split.
According to a floor plan Edwards presented, the two-story center is anticipated to have classroom space as well as a flag room.
The Gold Star Family memorial was inspired by a national monument in Washington, D.C., Edwards said. It is estimated to cost $3 million, with Montgomery County providing $300,000 from its FY 2023-24 budget for another 10%-90% split.
Edwards also discussed a planned “Park in the Sky” concept with a completion time not yet established. The concept describes an elevated walkway and platform over the existing park, according to Edwards’ presentation, with a draft budget of $1.9 million. Edwards said the space could host events for the park.
County Judge Mark Keough and Precinct 2 Commissioner Charlie Riley thanked Edwards for his work on the commission.
“When you came to this court five, six years ago and you made the announcement you were going to do this, I’m not going to lie, I thought there was no way this was going to happen,” Riley said. “I’m honored to do my small part of this when you all call me out [to events].”
Public Improvement District petition approved
Commissioners approved a petition for a public hearing regarding a new public improvement district east of Conroe. County Attorney B.D. Griffin said the meeting could take place in early August—although a specific date was not discussed, Griffin suggested Aug. 9 as a potential date.
The district petition was noticed by attorneys of Von Schmidt Land and Cattle LLC, which was registered in August 2021 by Charles Von Schmidt. According to a press release, Von Schmidt is a real estate developer headquartered in Livingston in Polk County.
Public improvement districts are described in Chapter 372 of the Texas Local Government Code as “definable parts” of a municipality or county that can be created by that municipality or county for “authorized improvements.” A full description of authorized improvements can be found in the statute, but they include creating streets or sidewalks, pedestrian malls and water facilities.
The Von Schmidt PID petition requests the county to manage the district but does not require any payments from the county. Specific improvements were not named in the petition, but the total cost is listed as $36 million.
If approved, the district would be the second PID created in Precinct 4 in 2022, following Meadow Park, which was approved in April. Commissioners did not hold any further discussion on the item, which was approved by all four present commissioners.
Husteel tax abatement hearing noticed for August
A second proposed tax abatement for Husteel America’s 253,000-square-foot facility near Splendora was noticed at the July 12 meeting with a potential approval date of Aug. 23. Per County Attorney B.D. Griffin, tax abatements must receive at least 30 days of notice before they are voted on at a commissioners court meeting.
Commissioners let a motion to approve a previous proposed abatement for the company die at a June 28 Commissioners Court session. That abatement would have relieved 100% of taxes for the 10-year period, which is the maximum amount allowed under state law.
At the July 12 meeting, Griffin told Community Impact Newspaper he expected a reduced amount from the abatement, estimating a proposal of a “three- to seven-year” term. Griffin did not have specifics as of July 12.
“Usually, tax abatements for the first few years are at 100%, or the state maximum, so [companies] can build out their facilities and hire their employees,” Griffin said. “I anticipate the [Aug. 23 proposal] will be lower than the [June 28 proposal].”
The Husteel facility would be used to manufacture pipes used in oil and gas production, known as oil country tubular goods.
