Marie Leonard

Editor [email protected]

How much would incorporation cost?

One of the most common questions surrounding the topic of incorporation is regarding the proposed cost. The Woodlands Township board of directors held its first incorporation workshop Jan. 19* to discuss matters related to the subject and if the board should consider a new study on the topic this year.

Although an official tax rate study has not been completed, township staff performed an update last fall to an incorporation study from 2012. The new data suggests the tax rate may increase to 34.22 cents per $100 valuation—up from 23 cents—at incorporation, but township board members believe more information is necessary. A taxpayer with a home valued at $440,000 would pay nearly $493 more in taxes to the township annually at that rate, according to the data.

The township board also set aside $2.5 million in December for an incorporation reserve, some of which may be used to perform a study this year to determine the cost of maintaining the community’s roadways. The Woodlands has until 2057 to incorporate before it risks becoming annexed by Houston or Conroe.

Do you have a question about how local government works or something going on in town? Send it to [email protected]. *After press time, the township's planning workshop was cancelled and will be rescheduled for February.