City Council at its Jan. 24 meeting approved a motion that will lead to city staff putting together a presentation of projects and their financial implications to the city and property taxpayers if they cost $90 million, $120 million or $150 million. Additionally, council agreed to move the decision to possibly postpone the utility fee proposition to its Feb. 14 council meeting.
“This is an opportunity to do something transformative about an issue that is literally life or death,” Council Member Luke Orlando said. “So if we move forward with something that is not the fee, I think we want it to be transformative as well.”
In June, City Council approved sending the municipal drainage utility fee ballot to voters. On Dec. 6, council approved a resolution establishing if voters approved it, the drainage utility fee would not be subject to an amendment more than once every five years.
Throughout the process, several entities, including the Pearland Chamber of Commerce, school districts, churches, homeowner associations and businesses, have raised concerns about having to pay another tax, and some have asked for a possible exemption from the fee if it passes.
Additionally, concerns have been raised on the lack of specificity by the city for specific projects that capital raised by the drainage utility fee would be used on if passed.
“You want this $5 fee, and absolutely we have to take care of drainage, but as the mayor pointed out, I haven’t heard how you’re going to spend that [on],” Pearland resident Jimmy Davis said during citizen comment Jan. 24. “What is that $5 a month actually going to do? ... Do the work; say this is what it is going to look like. Bring it to a bond. Give us the vote.”
Several council members, including Orlando, Tony Carbone, David Little and Woody Owens, expressed their openness to exploring a bond referendum for specific projects identified by the city.
Council Member Trent Perez said he was in favor of keeping the drainage fee proposition in May and letting voters decide whether they accepted the proposal or not. Perez raised concerns about abolishing the fee and the city not having a plan to raise funds for the needed capital projects.
The final day for City Council to approve the proposal so it can be on the May ballot for voters is Feb. 14, Pearland City Attorney Darrin Coker said.
“I can commit to getting behind something that is not the fee if there is a commitment that we will allow the voters to make the decision that they’re willing to pay the higher burden to do something truly transformative for themselves and their neighbors for families and homes,” Orlando said.
