(FORT BEND COUNTY) – The Taxpayers Coalition, a local taxpayers’ advocacy group, has written an open letter to Fort Bend County Commissioners Court asking for a series of public town hall meetings to provide transparency to the taxpayers regarding an upcoming $866 million in bond proposals.
The Taxpayers Coalition was formed in 2023 and is self-described as “an organization dedicated to advancing both transparency in government and active participation of the taxpayer.”
Members include co-chairs Neeta Sane and Pat Malone, Vice-Chair David Savage, Secretary Robert Beham and Treasurer Shawn Miller.
Commissioners Court recently approved two bond initiatives on the November 2023 ballot. The Mobility Bond is valued at $713 million and the Parks and Recreation Bond is valued at $153 million.
“These proposals are significantly higher (300-400 percent) than previous bonds of their type and come only three years after the most recent bond election,” reads the open letter, dated Aug. 24. “Our organization has some serious concerns about both the size and timing of these.
“We request that the county government schedule a series of public town halls on both these bonds to explain them to residents. Of particular interest to us is the timing, phasing and planning of such significant expenditures. While perhaps unusual for the County, informational meetings for bond elections are established practice for school districts. We hope you choose to follow their example.
“Our ability to support the bond rests on your providing adequate information to allay our and other taxpayers’ concerns.”
Precinct 1 Commissioner Vincent Morales recently announced a mobility and parks bonds public informational meeting scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 14 from 6 – 7 p.m. at the Cinco Ranch Branch Library, 2020 Commercial Center Blvd. Morales will be at the meetings along with Fort Bend County Judge KP George, Fort Bend County Engineers and employees of the Fort Bend County Parks Department.