A closer look
Precinct 1 Commissioner Robert Walker brought forth the proposal to have LJA Engineering perform consulting services by putting together a potential project list and conducting "public engagement" for a May bond.
The idea was rebuffed by Precinct 2 Commissioner Charlie Riley, who said that in previous bond issues, the commissioners have always created the road project list. However, Precinct 4 Commissioner Matt Gray and County Judge Mark Keough offered tentative support for using an outside engineering firm to begin work due to concerns that the bond issue would be pushed back once again from the previously discussed May timeframe.
How we got here
Commissioners first discussed a new road bond issue during the 2023 budget workshops, according to previous Community Impact reporting. However, the prospect wasn't brought back up until April, when commissioners considered a November bond, which would cover both road and infrastructure needs. A total of $1.5 billion in road and infrastructure needs were identified by commissioners in May, but the court decided to change the time goal to May 2025 in order to allow Precinct 3 Commissioner-elect Ritch Wheeler to take office and avoid the bond being on the presidential ballot.
In their words
- "In the past, we've issued bonds, and we've done it ourselves," Precinct 3 Commissioner James Noack said. "They're a fantastic engineering firm. They designed some of the best roads that we have. I just don't think that we need them to guide us through the selection process and projects together."
- "We've been talking about this, and we go from one meeting to the next, we still don't have a list of roads what everybody wants," Keough said. "The fact of the matter is that if there's some catalyst or some way to get this moving so we can all move together and do it, then that's what we need to do."
- "I know what roads we need, and I know what Precinct 2 needs," Riley said. "We don't even know what we are going out for; $400 or $500 or $200 [million]"
- "We've been kicking the can for two years; it's always 'next week' or 'next court,'" Gray said. "if we can get this [contract], that gives you two months to get ahead and get the public educated and understand some of the needs."
Commissioners voted 4-1 to defer discussion on a contract with LJA Engineering on the request of Assistant County Attorney Amy Dunham, who said there was not an official contract available yet to approve, so the court could not engage or agree to pay LJA Engineering any funds associated with the proposal. The discussion will continue at the next Commissioners Court meeting on Dec. 17 at 9:30 a.m., at 501 N. Thompson St., Conroe.
The deadline for commissioners to place a bond issue on the May ballot is Feb. 14, according to the Montgomery County Attorney's Office.
