lhk-2017-01-04-2Houston

Big decisions made in 2016

  • Pension reform The mayor and the City Council voted to eliminate the city’s $8 billion in unfunded pension liabilities over the next 30 years.
  • Flooding Stephen Costello was appointed chief resilience officer to combat flood damage.
  • Pothole problem Since creating the pothole prevention initiative in January, the city has filled nearly 65,000 potholes.
lhk-2017-01-04-3Top issues for 2017.
  • Super Bowl LI Hosting the NFL’s championship game in February is expected to have a significant economic effect on the city.
  • Infrustructure The city plans to continue work on long-term transportation projects, such as the expansion of Kingwood Drive in Kingwood.
  • Economy Growth in health care and other sectors is expected to offset a modest oil and gas recovery.

lhk-2017-01-04-4Humble

Big decisions made in 2016

  • Health care expansion Humble sold Memorial Hermann Northeast the  40 acres that the hospital  sits on.
  • Infrastructure spending The city funded the $4.3 million expansion of Townsen Boulevard  to four lanes and the $6.1 million concrete pavement improvement plan.
  • Property tax increase In September, Humble raised property taxes by one cent per $100 valuation to offset a decline in sales tax revenue.
lhk-2017-01-04-5Top issues for 2017
  • Entertainment growth When Main Event opens in May, the region will receive another entertainment option. 
  • Population growth With single-family and multifamily developments planned for 2017, the city could have a population increase for the first time in more than a decade.
  • Sales tax revenue The city will continue to monitor sales tax revenue to determine the property tax rate.

lhk-2017-01-04-6Harris County

Big decisions made in 2016

  • Astrodome resolution Harris County approved a $105 million repurposing plan that will allow the Houston Astrodome to host events and provide additional parking for events at NRG Stadium in September.
  • Greenway expansion The county added more than four miles to the Cypress and Spring Creek greenways.
  • $700 million road bond Road projects were designed that were funded through the 2015 voter-approved bond, such as the  Wilson Road expansion in Humble.
Top issues for 2017
  • Law enforcement funding The county has begun the process of funding  body cameras for officers.
  • Quality of life funding The county expects to continue funding the Spring Creek Greenway expansion in Humble.   
  • 2017 legislative session The commissioners court will monitor the 2017 Texas Legislative Session for relevant bills that will affect the ability to fund or service projects.

lhk-2017-01-04-7Montgomery County

Big decisions made in 2016

  • Thoroughfare plan In late January, the Commissioners Court approved a countywide thoroughfare plan to identify future transportation needs. The plan includes an extension of Northpark Drive that  connects it to Rayford Road in Spring. 
  • Animal shelter director After the county took control of the shelter from Care Corporation in 2015, the county has seen two directors leave shortly after their appointments. In November, the court named Charles Jackson as the new director.
Top issues for 2017
  • Road bond projects The county will continue work on projects from the November 2015 road bond, which includes projects in all four precincts, such as the widening of Sorters Road to four lanes from Kingwood Drive to FM 1314.
  • Court indictment A trial date has been set for March 27 for Montgomery County Judge Craig Doyal, Precinct 2 Commissioner Charlie Riley and Precinct 4 Commissioner Jim Clark regarding an alleged violation of the Texas Open Meetings Act.