[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6650615,"mediaKeyId","2505965-4a85ddc8abb4878b34d439bd249f17ff","parentId",2505965,"title","Votes at a glance: Waller County Commissioners Court actions and outcomes (meeting highlights)","audioSeconds",3586,"startMs",655000,"endMs",4241000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2505965-4a85ddc8abb4878b34d439bd249f17ff&start=655&end=4241","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2505965-4a85ddc8abb4878b34d439bd249f17ff/thumbnail_655000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6650615/Waller-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-Waller-County-Commissioners-Court-actions-and-outcomes-meeting-highlights","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6650615-5b7cf5dd6de3e717b32dd556c285c65d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161831&Signature=GfKjbr6niPfnsLHXzhqjFs531E8FaPeTzT-953zBJahcaJinS20zphMIOIpH-RXxHcCgUM5Zu~-twajGvVbFhZUdSqHAjwDfhJjFoPVpduRE-smV9Fp4Jj8KDnRz4x4jMoK-Hvdhe882NqD7ZJRsevLYxoaeXFMV2nRN-ZEM4ssKV~NVq-ozMJ72f-SEyCVUcJo2rNSurKOOLColT0GoZ6k4x63ilhTVDn3881-eHCPme85MZ65Mhuos9a7vtLSo-IVwEorrV0dFxtg1mckiRLIUNDzjtmtDhvlwf3zcyPmVFAz48XJ8du1uxn0MPWnYOAYhOvxumZJBY5NAbGjP1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Waller","date","2025-03-05T00:00:00Z","article","This “Votes at a glance” roundup lists motions and final outcomes recorded in the meeting minutes and audio for the March Commissioners Court meeting. Where the minutes recorded only a voice vote the item is shown as approved with no roll-call tally; items recorded as failing show the court’s announced outcome.

- Consent agenda (as amended): approved (consent agenda item 17 withdrawn before vote; amendment to item 9 approved prior to overall consent approval).

- Item 19: Approval — tax abatement agreement between Waller County, Tesla Inc. and SRPFB Empire West Phase 2 LP (read; combined for vote with item 20). (See full article on Tesla abatement.)

- Item 20: Approval — tax abatement agreement between Waller County, Tesla Inc. and SRPFB Empire West Phase 3 LP (read; combined for vote with item 19).

- Item 21: Approval — professional services contract for online auctioneering services with GovDeals; county judge authorized to sign.

- Item 22: Approval — auctioning of seven surplus precinct vehicles on GovDeals; county judge authorized to sign.

- Item 23: Approval — waive fee for community center for Juneteenth celebration hosted by Precinct 1 on 06/19/2025.

- Item 24: Approval — payment of $15,540 for invoice 195090 for audio recording services (line item 125401540900).

- Item 25: Public hearing held for Major Thoroughfare Plan map amendment (Sagebrush); informational.

- Item 26: Approval — Major Thoroughfare Plan map amendment for Sagebrush (after public hearing; county staff said alignment matches TxDOT schematics).

- Item 27: Approval — amendments to development agreement for Lakes of Cane Island (formerly Morton 180); name change and funding agreement noted.

- Item 28: Approval — award of various road maintenance contracts and materials: pavement striping to Stripes and Stops; fuel to Petroleum Traders; seal coating to H & C Construction (staff noted only single bids were received for some work; court approved moving forward).

- Item 29: Failed — Mobility Bond firm assignments in Precinct 3 (motion failed 2–1 after legal and interlocal concerns about assigning firms before city participation/interlocal agreements were resolved).

- Item 30: Approval — authorization to submit request for federal funds (earmark request support) for a community center in Sunterra; court approved delegating support/letter of interest.

- Items 31–33: Approvals — fee waivers for community center events (housing fair, health clinic, recycling event) on specified dates.

- Item 34: Approval — renewal of Affordable Care Act reporting and tracking services agreement with the Texas Association of Counties (TAC).

- Item 35: Approval — resolution supporting efforts to preserve night skies (legislative agenda item; court moved forward with supportive resolution language).

- Item 36: Approval — construction pay-application and related line-item payments for courthouse project (monthly pay application read into the minutes; staff provided a photo/status update and schedule estimate).

- Item 37: Approval — payment of $205,057.73 for modular-building invoice (Justice Center modular building design fees), funds from line item 125600581620.

- Item 38: Approval — appointment of Brian Cantel as County Fire Marshal for an additional two-year term.

- Item 39: Approval — Prairie View EDC rental of the community center on the third Thursday of each month for 2025.

- Item 40: Approval — official bond and oath for County Court Law Judge Carol Cheney.

- Item 41: Approval — authorization to seek federal funding for a potential regional detention pond project (property identification and federal funding request authorized).

- Item 42: Approval — authorization of a letter of intent for potential real property purchase from the City of Houston (staff said negotiations continue and additional steps required).

- Executive session: Court convened in closed session under Government Code for business/financial deliberations related to contract negotiations; no action was taken on reconvening to open session.

Ending: Several routine procurements, fee waivers and construction pay applications were approved; two high-profile approvals (tax abatement agreements for Tesla and the Sagebrush thoroughfare amendment) were among the substantive actions taken. The mobility-bond firm assignment for Precinct 3 failed and will be revisited after interlocal/legal clarity.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Waller - Commissioners Court - Mar 05, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A concise listing of formal votes, motions and outcomes recorded during the March Commissioners Court meeting, including approvals for Tesla tax abatements, a thoroughfare map amendment, procurement awards and other routine items.","taxTitle","Waller County, Texas","taxId",54097,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6650619,"Court hears public comment opposing Masonic symbols; courthouse construction update targets September completion, November opening",4706,24000,4730000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2505965-4a85ddc8abb4878b34d439bd249f17ff&start=24&end=4730","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2505965-4a85ddc8abb4878b34d439bd249f17ff/thumbnail_24000.jpg","/articles/6650619/Waller-County/Texas/Court-hears-public-comment-opposing-Masonic-symbols-courthouse-construction-update-targets-September-completion-November-opening","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6650619-f877cf8c6a75089c6ed1e38d740a0300/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161831&Signature=aoN~HLWZPMWPNd36Vay5q6dB0hh1-sLA5Gb5QGm2QT2yvesYWc64MrcbP9AJTJVtvkZsf3u7R2osl92iRDIkc747f9Ge5cYf0yNPYYVvT8O~8rv4mjsUNI~8cluR27-HJGUo1PSXKBtJA9zM2YLFZauMGJ9HG6RWI0AoQMAoyGUPeGmMJPZUUr-ycK8O3zLins7RlUJXgWCPwflOFZsEQd13bCXQItKPQw0J6~GC5RJWOZXTS0bFR~ggBP1xEs1Q4Pows94luDy3dq2g-9rlAHCxdqn5oyYX8otVlqlnxNTg0UbAiAThvZkTxoLNWyFrwb6uiSTJEtZxRxW7ryIjew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During public comment at the start of the meeting several residents urged commissioners to ensure religious or fraternal symbolism not be incorporated into the new courthouse foundation or cornerstone.

A resident who said she had sent written materials to Judge Duhan and to commissioners described concerns about “secret societies” and urged that “we want our law to be fair and not have preference of 1 civic organization over another.” Miss Johnny Reese, who said she had studied Freemasonry for years, said she believes the organization includes “things done in secret” and urged the court not to “allow it” on county property. Linda Akins and Gail Brown also spoke during public comment urging the court to “seek God” in its decisions and urged honoring religious traditions. The court chair thanked speakers and noted staff would gather information; no formal action was taken during the meeting on the matter and the minutes note a request has been made to gather more information and that some parties earlier had appealed to Judge Duhan.

The court’s construction update for the new Waller County courthouse was presented later in the agenda. The project presenter (Mister Roth in the record) gave the monthly pay-application update and construction status: the project has experienced some delays in stone/GFRC production but interior work is progressing, terrazzo and other floors will begin, and permanent power and air conditioning are expected soon. The presenter said the contractor aims for building completion in September and a grand-opening event on Saturday, Nov. 8. The presenter also reviewed recent pay-application line items and photos of interior framing, balconies and the cupola and noted furniture procurement options will be presented at the next court meeting.

On ancillary items the court approved a monthly construction pay application and other related line-item payments for ongoing courthouse work. Commissioners said the county will research the public comment request regarding cornerstones and related historical practices, and no formal decision on cornerstones or foundation inscriptions was made during the meeting.

Ending: County staff said they will gather more information on requests about cornerstones and report back; construction remains on the projected schedule for a fall move-in and a planned November grand opening.

","Public commenters urged the county to avoid Masonic or other fraternal emblems on the new courthouse; county construction staff reported progress on the new building, saying interior work is advancing, stonework shipments have caused scheduling delays, and the county still targets a September completion and a Nov. 8 grand opening.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6650624,"Commissioners block motion to assign firms for Precinct 3 bond projects after legal and interlocal concerns",1169,3074000,4243000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2505965-4a85ddc8abb4878b34d439bd249f17ff&start=3074&end=4243","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2505965-4a85ddc8abb4878b34d439bd249f17ff/thumbnail_3074000.jpg","/articles/6650624/Waller-County/Texas/Commissioners-block-motion-to-assign-firms-for-Precinct-3-bond-projects-after-legal-and-interlocal-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6650624-98f6e7d089fd45b26180d45d2ace7cc7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161831&Signature=VVdBIGfDBSmVHNuQ2sK0q~fjU0VorBg5Ljeda0imiSN3LQfFG6qeVzpCNsz9d2cOwfDuVrWOEsiuDZW-N0kBRddtaE7q9emCUUafChBY89IXm~XQImsYERDVLrDoAl8e~~IDbYrxRGnFH7~1z4jsU3V1UHt2WiABV8Cd40FxwSdcvJTL5LRkjP~o8TLL0m1Sk2s0zZso5ZK9tpGKvSTfW5ZWzaqmzJOHdwQ-sTWGX82SbVCeAmV730tUX92yi0d~upu7tjVa5EW4x5FtWe8wmBEKUxnedtTA2TFXd29dblNVeXwMJvWnpK39WeeyH9eelfZQZP2iIUpVittDy9eCcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A motion to assign engineering, surveying, geotechnical and environmental firms for several Mobility Bond projects in Precinct 3 failed on a recorded voice vote after extensive debate about interlocal agreements and city participation.

The agenda item (29) would have approved a list of firms for bond-funded projects including Flukinger Road and Richards Road. Precinct 3 staff presented firm recommendations; the court discussed whether to authorize firm selection before finalizing interlocal agreements or confirming city participation and funding shares. Commissioners repeatedly asked county legal staff and the county engineer whether assigning firms now would commit county funds or set a precedent for future joint projects.

A county legal adviser said interlocal agreements would be required to authorize county bond money for work within a city’s limits and suggested the court obtain clarity before proceeding. Commissioners debated policy questions about who negotiates city participation and whether the commissioner with precinct responsibility should lead negotiations. One commissioner asked the court to defer the Flukinger assignment until there was clarity on city participation and interlocal terms.

At the vote the court chair called for hands; the motion failed “2 to 1.” The minutes record: “All in favor of 29, raise your hand. All opposed? Motion fails 2 to 1.” The transcript indicates several commissioners urged more legal clarity before committing firms for projects which may lie within municipal limits.

Ending: The court did not assign firms for the listed Precinct 3 projects at this meeting; commissioners asked staff to pursue interlocal agreements, clarify ownership and funding responsibilities, and return with any recommended contracts once those terms are resolved.

","A motion to assign firms for Mobility Bond projects in Precinct 3 failed after commissioners raised legal questions about whether the county should assign engineering firms before interlocal agreements and city participation were settled.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6650628,"Court approves Sagebrush amendment to major thoroughfare plan after TxDOT coordination",1027,1567000,2594000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2505965-4a85ddc8abb4878b34d439bd249f17ff&start=1567&end=2594","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2505965-4a85ddc8abb4878b34d439bd249f17ff/thumbnail_1567000.jpg","/articles/6650628/Waller-County/Texas/Court-approves-Sagebrush-amendment-to-major-thoroughfare-plan-after-TxDOT-coordination","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6650628-3ae24a760c0f91bf98c17322334f4636/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161831&Signature=JAIU91Mx17fUa-P7UAiairlSZoRaqiTwiZgbdKxQYfmy~koGyQkZmKASWS3IL1u9g9Im6Ysf3ubCTstQNQ4WswrzNjWoKcEF4thgGVCsWvU4NH8nBhh4IogUgYT0vad-qJMS7GiZPRwcvH~LtdtlGTCD-f-K-TbjKbj-JQ~4N496UqZC2bFqvfk6K-C~xOSK4CK~Yxs91enO~3PxLTfajidW751mARXn3xh-J4w4P7kYGsaDO~9UQmkTkWyMaORLPtCwCY0CVDKgsTizXmfItNQ1M4spT7-w9JrarSUTFePdAYJtPX56bivSIQQmGBStnxEMb9qWY~TfUPfeCaH3jw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Waller County Commissioners Court approved a Major Thoroughfare Plan map amendment for the Sagebrush subdivision (agenda items 25–26), following a public hearing and staff presentations describing corridor removals and realignments.

County planners and Jennifer Curtis of consultant META described the changes: several proposed north–south corridor segments were to be removed and replaced with alignments that follow existing roads (shown as purple-dotted alternatives in plan graphics), and a realignment of Farm-to-Market 1488 was proposed along a southern boundary to reduce impacts on private property. Ross, the county staff presenter, said the purple-dotted replacement alignment matches schematics recently received from the Texas Department of Transportation for future 1488 plans.

During the public hearing and ensuing discussion, commissioners raised multiple planning considerations: coordination with TxDOT, floodplain crossings, and the effect on existing private communities such as Skymac Ranch. One commissioner said their primary concern was avoiding cutting new thoroughfares through gated private streets and existing homeowners’ properties; staff said the amendment avoids punching a corridor through Skymac Ranch and instead follows existing public streets where feasible.

A commissioner noted that TxDOT’s construction budget and schematic work for the 1488 realignment has an estimated early-construction timeline in 2037; staff said the county’s purple-dot alignment matches TxDOT’s schematic. Commissioners discussed the need to update the countywide thoroughfare plan (last updated about six years ago) and whether future updates should include a more detailed, closer-in review to avoid leaving small unbuildable parcels or “triangles.”

After discussion, the court voted to approve the map amendment. The minutes record a voice vote: “26 is approved.” The minutes do not record a roll-call tally.

Ending: Staff and commissioners said the county will continue coordination with TxDOT and municipal partners and suggested a future, more detailed update of the Major Thoroughfare Plan to reduce uncertainty for property owners.

","The Commissioners Court approved a map amendment to the county Major Thoroughfare Plan for the Sagebrush subdivision, including removal and realignment of proposed corridors and coordination with TxDOT on 1488 realignment; commissioners debated floodplain crossings, private streets and future city coordination.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6650631,"Waller County approves tax abatement agreements for Tesla’s Brookshire manufacturing site",622,741000,1363000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2505965-4a85ddc8abb4878b34d439bd249f17ff&start=741&end=1363","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2505965-4a85ddc8abb4878b34d439bd249f17ff/thumbnail_741000.jpg","/articles/6650631/Waller-County/Texas/Waller-County-approves-tax-abatement-agreements-for-Teslas-Brookshire-manufacturing-site","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6650631-745e62caaea9c578eef139df43c80836/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161831&Signature=OAMKmBDd0g0kQw2MEOTv9jervIjjxM4~I4bqyCmAqs2qXI5A3siaXGC~fCGm3bwhC6bowS4p6sKl3K7HlhHLFeYgmeAsJplTlQRZN3gqYjtRX1Ovbfkya8xdfU1c7IMKBlBsvJQIs6hEY-hXN08htjGH~Jnd54iICYu71luJ~8myLPXtCKAudFAzu2vIB-XELGkcwBW8R6KQWM1fv7~kecAgDN-nqUYDkEJnKM8nSH4VfoH1uDo6CFb9H8nCdGFbr75AwHypfN0bez0jlKhTCo9zdmIkmvfvGXw4pqZqWK2hKKYjXIJRm64ZYC7dfWND~bZ2UN3YiflDulB0CIkmnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Waller County Commissioners Court on a voice vote approved two tax abatement agreements allowing Tesla Inc. to lease manufacturing space at the Empire West business park in Brookshire.

County economic development representatives told the court the agreements (agenda items 19 and 20) are structured so Tesla will lease buildings owned by SRPFB Empire West Phase 2 LP and SRPFB Empire West Phase 3 LP. Vince, the county’s economic-development presenter, said the project will create “1,500 advanced manufacturing jobs” and represents a large capital investment for South Waller County.

The agreements as read into the record describe two related projects. Under the Phase 2 agreement, SRPFB Empire West Phase 2 LP would construct a manufacturing facility with improvements estimated at $44,000,000; Tesla would install manufacturing equipment with an estimated cost of approximately $150,000,000. Under the Phase 3 agreement, SRPFB Empire West Phase 3 LP would build a facility with an estimated cost of about $31,000,000 and Tesla would make building improvements and equipment upgrades (an amount in the minutes was recorded as “$2,000,000” after an initial transcription error).

Shiv Mysore, identified in the meeting as Tesla staff, said the Brookshire site will be a replication of another Tesla factory and that Tesla will operate the facility directly rather than through a third-party logistics provider. Brett Rhodes and Javier were introduced as engineering/construction and plant management representatives who will work on the site. Stream Realty and local city economic-development staff also were acknowledged for their role in attracting the project.

The court’s motion to approve the agreements was made, and the judge announced, “All in favor of 19 raise your right hand. Opposed. So 19 and 20 are approved.” The minutes do not record roll-call tallies or recorded dissents.

The court noted for the record that the two items had been combined for voting purposes though they were read as separate agreements. No additional conditions or amendments were recorded in the minutes.

A separate presentation during the same agenda segment encouraged contracting and workforce partnerships with local high schools and universities; Tesla representatives said they have intern programs and plan to recruit from regional technical programs.

Votes and formal motions on the two abatement agreements were recorded in the minutes as approvals; the audio transcript does not include a detailed roll-call vote or a breakdown of how individual commissioners voted.

Ending: County staff said next steps include finalizing the lease and tax payment agreements with the city of Brookshire and executing the abatement paperwork. The court did not attach additional conditions to the abatement approvals in the meeting record.

","The Commissioners Court approved two tied tax abatement agreements enabling Tesla to lease and operate manufacturing space in the Empire West development in Brookshire, with presenters saying the project would bring advanced manufacturing jobs and substantial capital investment to Waller County.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Waller County Commissioners Court actions and outcomes (meeting highlights)

Court hears public comment opposing Masonic symbols; courthouse construction update targets September completion, November opening

Commissioners block motion to assign firms for Precinct 3 bond projects after legal and interlocal concerns

Court approves Sagebrush amendment to major thoroughfare plan after TxDOT coordination

Waller County approves tax abatement agreements for Tesla’s Brookshire manufacturing site