What we reported

Montgomery County commissioners agreed Nov. 28 to create a comprehensive strategic plan to manage population growth in the county. Montgomery County Judge Craig Doyal proposed the initiative during a Commissioners Court meeting.

The latest

Commissioners agreed to host a workshop at a later date to begin discussing the process and scope of the plan. As of press time, the workshop has not been scheduled. Doyal said the plan could look at items, such as financial management policies and capital improvement projects, as well as needs for law enforcement and mobility improvements. He said some of those projects could include evaluating the need for a new county jail, a new forensics facility and a tax office as well as establishing regular timelines to update documents like the county’s thoroughfare plan.

What’s next

Doyal said the court will likely ask county department heads to prepare long-term plans for each county department to help commissioners account for needed improvements moving forward. County officials have not released a timeline for when the plan may be complete. This story is one update from the Annual Community Guide. View the full list of Top 10 stories to follow in 2018 here.