The Sugar Land City Council on Tuesday approved a $100,000 grant to Texas State Technical College toward construction of a job training center in Rosenberg in a 4-3 vote that included debate over the city’s civic responsibility to the Fort Bend area.

Council Member Mary Joyce said the donation would mark the first time that 4B funds were used to fund a building project outside of Sugar Land.

“I have serious concerns with this request because it’s precedent setting,” she said. “I’ve really struggled with this.”

The $100,000 is slated to come from the Sugar Land 4B Corporation budget, which is funded by hotel occupancy taxes. The source of the money seemed to be a convincing factor for some of the council.

“These funds came from people who don’t live here so it’s not like we’re robbing our citizens,” Porter said. “I don’t have a problem helping other people, I think for the city to prosper, the county has to prosper.”

Like tax breaks awarded to corporations that expand or locate in the city, the $100,000 grant comes with stipulations that the TSTC must adhere to in order to keep the money. However, the council did not get to see a copy of those stipulations. Jennifer May, executive director of business and governmental affairs, told the council the performance agreement with TSTC was still being written. May said the agreement would include requirements stipulating a minimum number of jobs be created as part of the project, adding that it would include “clawbacks,” where the money must be returned if the requirements are not met.

At a prior workshop, the council viewed a presentation that showed 35 of the campus’s students reside in Sugar Land. The figures were part of a breakdown showing where the campus’s student body resides. Some council member brought up the enrollment figures before casting their votes.

“There are 33 students from Houston going there,” Council Member Amy Mitchell said before casting one of three ‘No’ votes. “They didn’t ask Houston for any money.”

“Richmond gave $1 million to Texas State, and they have 50 students attending,” said Council Member Bridget Yeung.

At the start of the meeting, three residents addressed the council, speaking out against the request by TSTC.

“I’m not opposed to funding anything to Texas State Technical College,” Hillary Goldstein told Council Members. “I am opposed to the dollar amount of $100,000.”

“We’re part of a larger community, and we have a larger responsibility,”

Mayor Joe Zimmerman said. “Sugar Land needs to be at the forefront and lead the effort. I believe this is an appropriate investment.”

Council members Joyce, Mitchell and Harish Jajoo cast the dissenting votes.