The Texas’ 84th Legislature adjourned June 1, leaving the Rayford Road Corridor without a plan for infrastructure or community enhancements. The proposed Grand Oaks Improvement District, a taxing entity officals sought to create to fund infrastructure improvements, failed to make its way through the legislative process this year.
However Rayford Road Civic Association President Paul Cote said the plan could be re-introduced in the next legislative session in 2017.
“We will have to re-engage [the plan] in two years,” Cote said.
RRCA leaders approached state Rep. Mark Keough, R-The Woodlands, to discuss the improvement district in the fall. The improvement district would have added a new property tax within the newly created district to improve the area’s infrastructure by addressing traffic congestion and continual population growth in areas along the Rayford Road Corridor, Cote said.
Keough said during stakeholder meetings in December 2014, it became clear many area residents opposed the creation of a new taxing district until they received more information on the background and purpose of the improvement district, Keough said.
Keough requested the RRCA produce a community survey to explain the details and gather information and ideas from residents.
“While a formal number of respondents was never finalized, I asked for a minimum of 1,500 households [to be surveyed], which would represent close to 10,000 residents,” Keough said.
Shortly before the end of the 84th legislative regular session, RRCA leaders determined a survey of the community would cost more than the association could afford, Keough said.
Keough said he would not consider completing and filing the draft legislation without the results of the survey.
“Time was always against this project,” he said.
The RRCA did conduct an unofficial survey of approximately 350 respondents via Facebook, but no plans are in place for a more in-depth, formal survey, Cote said.
RCCA Vice President Paul Alli said he wanted the association to survey 10,000 of the area’s residents.
Cote said he is ready to “lay down” on the GOID and is looking to pursue other community needs. However Keough said he plans to use the next 18 months to gather as much information as possible on what the community wants and needs in a new taxing district.
“I will hold a series of community town hall meetings in the proposed district to ensure every homeowner has multiple opportunities to come out and give feedback on the proposal,” Keough said.
Keough also said that with the new timeline more than a year out, the community now has the ability to get involved and let RRCA officials know exactly what they want to see in an improvement district in thier community.
