After The Woodlands Township’s series of budget meetings, the board revisited its discussion of its agreement with the township’s mounted patrol, Alpha & Omega.
The board also voted on the 2026 property tax rates with a 7-0 vote. The 2027 budget was based on the proposed tax rate of $0.1694 per $100 of taxable value. According to the township, the 2026 tax rate is a decrease from the 2025 total tax rate of $0.1714 per $100 of taxable value.
What happened
Though the township’s agreement with Alpha and Omega runs through Dec. 31, board members are evaluating if there is a better way to enhance the mounted patrol program. The main change being considered is moving from a private security model to a commissioned law enforcement model with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the township, benefits of the transition would include:
- Broader law enforcement access to dispatch and agency resources
- Reduced liability with private security patrolling non-township owned property
Community Impact previously reported the board could give the motion to decrease the mounted patrol line item by more than $1.5 million. It also allocated about $1.3 million in funding for mounted patrol services within the law enforcement fund in the FY 2027 budget.
The Woodlands resident Michelle Knuckles said she’s in support of the board’s decision to reevaluate the mounted patrol agreement.
“They [Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office] cost less and can provide more real protection. They can make arrests. I appreciate these ladies [for] wanting to serve but the taxpayers just can't pick for the bill when law enforcement can do it for less...” Knuckles said.
However, resident Teresa Kenny spoke on behalf of Alpha & Omega stating that losing the company would be a huge loss to the community.
“The mounted patrol is not simply a contractor. They are an organization that has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to this community through years of service and public engagement.
They've become part of the fabric of The Woodlands and their presence provides something that cannot be easily replicated,” Kenny said.
Also on the agenda
During the board’s public hearing, board members voted to adopt the 2026 debt service tax rate, maintenance and operations tax rate and approved the order to levy taxes. In total, the property tax rates include the debt service tax rate and the maintenance and operations tax rate which had to be voted on separately by the board.
The board voted on:
- 6-1 vote: Maintenance and Operations tax rate of $0.1594
- 6-1 vote: Order levying taxes
- 7-0 vote: Debt service tax rate of $0.0100 per $100 of taxable value.
Director Shelley Sekula-Gibbs was the nay vote.
According to the township
Vice President Craig Eissler said that though he was initially hesitant about the newly proposed tax rate, but now he’s comfortable moving forward noting the board will have to monitor how legislature plays out in Austin.
“One of the big items that is looming in this next executive legislative session in Austin is property tax reform. We don't know what's going to come of it...we are blessed [to] only derive 30% of our revenue from property taxes, but what's that going to look like going forward after the property tax reform,” Eissler said. “I haven't gone through the budget and the reserves[but] I am comfortable with the proposed rate...[I am] just cautiously optimistic about what's going to come out of Austin and how that will impact our future revenue.”
