Commissioners met the week of Sept. 13 to give County Judge Mark Keough oversight of the county animal shelter.
Discussion on the items below is not guaranteed as commissioners have the authority to defer items to future meetings.
FY 2022-2023 salary schedule to be released
Montgomery County’s fiscal year 2022-23 salary schedule will be presented and discussed with the county budget office requesting approval ahead of the fiscal year’s start date Oct. 1.
The salary schedule presents the titles, pay and position codes for county employees. Those that are partially or completely funded through contracts with other agencies are also listed, such as Precinct 1 constable officers covering Lake Conroe.
During August budget workshops and in following discussions, the county approved a $397 million budget funded by a property tax rate of $0.3742 per $100 valuation, which exceeds its calculated no-new-revenue rate.
Part of the tax rate will fund the county’s incorporation of its Woodlands deputies into the budget. Previously, The Woodlands Township had completely funded the 92 sheriff’s department deputies. However, the township told Community Impact Newspaper that it had not heard back from the county despite outreach in August, and it included $9 million in funding for its FY 2022-23 budget for the same officers.
Several county departments, including the county’s forensics department, received new open positions, according to county Budget Officer Amanda Carter, who said the positions will be reflected in the salary schedule on the Sept. 27 agenda.
MCAD director nomination
Commissioners will discuss a nomination to fill a vacancy on the Montgomery Central Appraisal District board of directors following the resignation of Director Adam Simmons on Aug. 22. The appraisal district determines valuations of properties in Montgomery County.
Misty Perinne is the named nominee for the vacancy. According to a bio attached to the Sept. 27 agenda, Perinne was most recently named as a Precinct 3 representative for the Montgomery County Advisory Committee and Grievance Council, which works with the Montgomery County Community Development office.
County commissioners previously criticized the MCAD during August budget workshops for failing to meet a July 25 statutory deadline for certifying 2022 appraisal values. MCAD Chief Appraiser Tony Belinoski said ongoing staff shortages were complicating the district’s efforts in certifying values.
Commissioners also unanimously rejected a June proposal to increase the MCAD’s budget, which is calculated through levies on taxing entities. In FY 2022-23, Montgomery County will contribute $2.3 million to the MCAD budget.
According to its website, the MCAD board of directors does not appraise property, but it does hire the chief appraiser, approve contracts and approve the entity's budget.
Montgomery area road projects
Two Montgomery-area road projects are listed in the consent agenda for approval. The consent agenda is not normally discussed unless an item is moved into the open or deferred by a commissioner.
The county is set to enter an interlocal agreement with the city of Montgomery for emergency repairs to the bridge at Lone Star Parkway at Town Creek. According to the draft agreement, the bridge is not in the city’s maintenance system, though it is in the municipal limits.
Per the terms of the draft agreement, Montgomery County will be responsible for coming up with plans and the advertisement and approval of bids on the project. Meanwhile, the city will approve the plans. Both parties are set to contribute 50% of funds with the city’s share specified not to exceed $100,000.
The second project, in Precinct 2, calls for the county to contribute $39,325.00 as part of a 10% funding agreement for repairs to a bridge at Stinson Lane at Mound Creek Draw. The state will contribute another 10%, and the federal government will provide the remaining 80% of funds through the federal off-system program meant to update structures not included in the state’s maintenance plan.
