[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6655908,"mediaKeyId","5360508-e731264224932c98435bafce3bb43b02","parentId",5360508,"title","Conroe reviews five‑year CIP with $375M in proposed water and sewer debt; council orders wastewater alternatives study","audioSeconds",1952,"startMs",6120000,"endMs",8072000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5360508-e731264224932c98435bafce3bb43b02&start=6120&end=8072","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5360508-e731264224932c98435bafce3bb43b02/thumbnail_6120000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6655908/Conroe/Montgomery-County/Texas/Conroe-reviews-fiveyear-CIP-with-375M-in-proposed-water-and-sewer-debt-council-orders-wastewater-alternatives-study","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655908-4d6849bb0959e16bb072c0845ba54ffb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443991&Signature=c7nGyyJRhQ9ADwvOhFmy03SoncDfhYj1OYEK58UUhb9a5y-ZzuP3W66jO-ndi3MvMZd~hq8iD5AjBng6tjAI~UplRvFFc2saVLC5u-XYkjtrM2l94HXxLoIlqDRI8AB6~Mql3BTabbb9tweeH-Oftw-1by97edW9S2mX2ZjoKpUmPvMSZEoTc41MKUv1MiGTWVu6TwYfvbwSYxgay9NCDM3U6tNfROxcqG1CoCGOSJwwrb3~wVpJFsgP1TtgqGo7Zq1uhtI~YfsD2rcxIwxpLvX8pkXOLWCm8p4oErlZwng9n3jyRy0ve2MVkg55r7rL~8CWyFM2EmmjaLvJ33fvSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Conroe","date","2025-07-10T00:00:00Z","article","Conroe city staff presented the proposed five‑year capital improvement program (CIP) at the July 10 budget workshop, highlighting large water and sewer needs and related borrowing plans.

What staff presented: Public‑works and finance staff said the five‑year water and sewer CIP includes approximately $375 million in new debt over five years, with FY2026 shown in the presentation as roughly $39.2 million. The presentation emphasized prioritizing projects that have outside funding or required relocations (for example, TxDOT relocations), and noted mitigation funding tied to the Conroe Industrial Development Corporation (CIDC) for selected well projects.

Key decisions and directives
- Wastewater study: Staff told council they will bring a formal alternatives analysis/study for wastewater treatment options (land acquisition, design and construction phases separated in the CIP). Public‑works staff said they plan to engage consultants (Fries & Nichols was referenced) to evaluate alternatives including expansion options at Conroe Central and Southwest and a potential new northwest regional plant. The study estimate cited during the meeting was approximately $360,000, and staff said the analysis is needed before large land acquisitions or construction commitments.

- Wells and redrills: The city identified a series of well redrills and new wells (Wells 32, 33 and others) and said some of those projects have partial funding commitments from CIDC and congressional/senate appropriations earmarked to the city. Staff reported they had already acquired at least one tract for well 33 and continue to pursue additional parcels.

- Debt metrics and funding policy: Finance staff presented debt‑to‑taxable assessed value (TAV) projections showing the five‑year CIP remaining under the city’s policy limit of 5% general‑obligation debt/TAV. The presentation and council discussion also explained that because of a pending SJRA (San Jacinto River Authority) lawsuit the city currently relies on certificates of obligation for some water and sewer borrowing instead of water‑sewer revenue bonds, a circumstance staff said affects coverage and reserve calculations.

Notable cost reference: McGuire (public‑works) cited a recent estimate for an expansion at Conroe Central of about $296 million for roughly 6 million gallons of additional capacity, a figure used in council discussion as an example of the scale of treatment‑plant costs.

Why it matters: Council members and staff repeatedly described the scale of Conroe’s growth and the urgency to add treatment capacity, additional well production, and system redundancy to meet demand. Staff cautioned that multi‑year projections assume a mix of funding sources, possible grants, and impact‑fee policy changes that could alter the city’s borrowing needs.

Follow up and next steps
- Staff will advance the wastewater alternatives analysis and return to council with a scope, estimated costs, and timeline for land acquisition and design.
- Finance and public works will continue to refine CIP project lists, prioritize projects with outside funding, and reflect any grant or impact‑fee policy changes in future projections.

Ending: Council thanked staff for the CIP rework and asked for updated project detail and maps; staff noted the CIP is a five‑year working plan that will be updated annually as grants, land availability, and market conditions change.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Conroe - Workshop - Jul 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Public‑works and finance staff presented a five‑year CIP that includes roughly $375 million in proposed water and sewer debt and prioritized well redrills, treatment‑plant planning and projects with outside funding.","taxTitle","Conroe, Montgomery County, Texas","taxId",2810,"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},6655913,"Conroe council reviews FY2026 budget, directs staff to model pay scenarios after months of hiring freezes",3751,111000,3862000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5360508-e731264224932c98435bafce3bb43b02&start=111&end=3862","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5360508-e731264224932c98435bafce3bb43b02/thumbnail_111000.jpg","/articles/6655913/Conroe/Montgomery-County/Texas/Conroe-council-reviews-FY2026-budget-directs-staff-to-model-pay-scenarios-after-months-of-hiring-freezes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655913-a7e2078eab587888a4304b879516d63c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443991&Signature=fYDGR9Ifzlb6spwhVvsKhfPPDVZXC1XOc3FLOiw-7l3UIh70IHwf9XpZjOwFH481M~Llkp4E4xPhXRrcp3WQj7akgyNWphd3VeIc2vZBQagWO5ZbbpAN6xe6uu03qumK~JTl5aqolU5c5L7o3C8TnlLoXhG~pPi3drSDCTrV05O5uYAmruMaxxoqN5kO4hIl7yBygCQQwUySILrj4yqcbUZZDgEh0G7wjOINPH3WFnveYzaZeqPsguHko~E3A~AK0iebiBkUvuFPZI06Mk5m0YoAzRRQ7mmq4fZ9PRBsd7A~aPYnY22kYQ6JNDs9TD~FfEzftwGSe6loictrq5AhTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor and council members met July 10 in Conroe for a public budget workshop to review the proposed fiscal year 2026 operating and capital improvement program (CIP) budgets and to press city staff for options to increase employee pay.

Finance staff presented an overview of the proposed FY2026 operating budget and related estimates. Finance director Ms. Gibbs said the city’s total gross revenue proposed for FY2026 is $362,000,007 (presented in the workshop slides) and that the general fund gross revenue budget is $136,000,008 with proposed general fund expenditures of $130,000,006 — a difference the presentation listed as roughly $6,000,002 and an estimated fund balance of about $82,000,005 at year end.

Why it matters: Council members said employee pay is a high priority after three years of hiring freezes and continued recruitment pressure from neighboring jurisdictions. Councilwoman Porter told colleagues she “cannot in good conscience sit here without thinking about employees” and asked staff to produce scenarios for possible compensation increases. Several council members cited local law‑enforcement pay adjustments in surrounding jurisdictions as a retention risk for Conroe.

Discussion highlights
- Pay options and costs: Ms. Gibbs walked through staff estimates for pay adjustments. Council and finance staff used a working figure that 1% across all funds is approximately $720,000; a 5% COLA would be roughly $3.6 million and a 6% COLA roughly $4.3 million, figures the city’s finance staff (Michael) provided during the workshop. The council also reviewed a separate step program for civil‑service positions (police and fire) that staff estimated would cost about $1.1 million. Council members asked for scenarios combining steps/merit for civil‑service positions and comparable merit/COLA packages for non‑civil‑service employees so the increases are “as equal as it can be.”

- Equity and structure: Several councilmembers — including Porter and others — emphasized fairness across civil‑service and non‑civil‑service employees. Council discussion repeatedly returned to two options: (a) a uniform COLA across all employees to lift pay bases and top‑out levels, or (b) a combination of steps for civil‑service roles and merit or COLA for other employees. Councilmember Wood summarized the request: “let’s figure the step and let’s just go baseline 2%… then what would a comparable COLA increase be for the non‑civil service employees?”

- Direction to staff: Council directed finance and HR staff to prepare several scenarios and run multi‑year projections showing the budgetary impacts. Staff said they would model combinations (steps for civil service, various COLA levels for all employees, and combined packages) and present the results at a subsequent council meeting as part of a budget update.

Other budget items noted
- Reduced benefit costs: Ms. Gibbs said the city’s TMRS contribution rate was projected to fall slightly (cited in the presentation) and that the self‑funded insurance contribution per full‑time employee was proposed to decline from $17,048 to $14,942 for FY2026. Council members credited those savings as partially available to support personnel increases.

- Supplemental requests: The presentation included a list of supplemental departmental requests the finance presentation covered, including one‑time IT and equipment items and modest increases across police, fire and infrastructure operations. Ms. Gibbs noted a proposed general fund reserve set at 230 days (about $82.5 million in the slides) and characterized the proposed budget as having a modest operating surplus prior to any pay decisions.

What the council directed
- Staff to return with modeled pay scenarios (COLA and step/merit combinations) and five‑year projections showing impacts to reserves and recurring costs.
- HR and finance to include both general‑fund and all‑fund views so council can compare the total fiscal effect.

Ending: Councilmembers emphasized they wanted the analysis to be accurate rather than rushed. Several members said they would support increases if the models showed the city could preserve reserves and maintain long‑term sustainability; staff committed to return with scenarios ahead of the next scheduled budget meeting.

","At a July 10 budget workshop, Conroe city staff presented the proposed fiscal year 2026 operating and CIP budgets and council members pressed for options to raise employee pay — including COLA and step proposals — directing staff to return with modeled scenarios and multi‑year projections.",{"_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},6655903,"Conroe council weighs buying voting machines vs. using county after previous election delays",529,3067000,3596000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5360508-e731264224932c98435bafce3bb43b02&start=3067&end=3596","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5360508-e731264224932c98435bafce3bb43b02/thumbnail_3067000.jpg","/articles/6655903/Conroe/Montgomery-County/Texas/Conroe-council-weighs-buying-voting-machines-vs-using-county-after-previous-election-delays","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655903-edeb2bf2679a2580cd6fd4531ab1e3d8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443991&Signature=egpjTVotzrgUjJ6i-1ytHkoT-eN1mamOo4NoVVqh-IxdTjL5lBizy66~Zt7orMLSvswMs0UpOwDovkTjYekJIvNI0cwHV-cDyW6qc5WG86eP~PZr9mIgTyXd4rfPwjgxII6LI4CgLY90DVuRKRgmQe0R~ePZ2JhR06uSTK~qbKQtk-i1Qi5aZ3Zwb~L0YgA3ZxfCjEE62Cynl-1BAoByJIwvh8wrHYCl7jBSVG-yCsTLi-785MBLvRadTFsI5Vqq3dTJ~GsjqDFZc65zEPkNrfky-4uDR7v9IDK79uNkwT8CUtIYHQ4XpVufo3rYkRjofqU~E1vVC4alQp9E7ju4Gg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the July 10 budget workshop Conroe officials discussed a proposed $840,879 budget item that would fund city‑run elections, including purchase of voting machines and related one‑time costs.

What was on the table: City staff explained the line item was primarily to purchase voting machines and associated equipment so the city could operate its own elections rather than contract with the county. City staff said a recent county quote to run a May election was about $220,000; that figure was confirmed as a near‑term modeling point for the council. Workshop discussion noted the county already owns machines (which lowers the county quote) while the city would face a significant upfront purchase cost (staff referenced about $500,000 for machines in the staff discussion). Staff also cited an ongoing maintenance and operational estimate of about $369,000 per year that would include staffing and equipment upkeep.

Why it matters: Councilmembers who supported buying machines said local control would avoid past problems with long lines and machine shortages during the previous election. Mayor and other councilmembers described the November election where equipment and staffing shortages created long wait times at some locations, and said owning machines would let the city control locations and staffing. Opponents noted the high upfront cost and asked staff to model the multi‑year budget consequences of buying and maintaining machines vs. contracting with Montgomery County.

Specifics from the workshop
- Machine counts and logistics: Staff reviewed the machine count used in the prior election: 70 total machines (36 at Candy Cane Park, 24 at the Public Works location and 10 as backups) and the county’s prior shortage and logistical delays were discussed as motivation for considering ownership.

- Cost modeling direction: Council asked staff to run comparative models showing (a) the one‑time purchase plus annual maintenance and staffing costs if the city procures machines, and (b) county contract costs. Council asked that the models include certification/maintenance cycles and potential lifecycle replacement costs.

Ending: Finance and the city secretary’s office will model scenarios and return with comparative costs and multi‑year projections so the council can weigh control and voter service benefits against long‑term budget impacts.","Councilmembers debated a budget request of $840,879 to run city elections using city‑owned machines and staff versus contracting with the county; staff were asked to model acquisition, ongoing maintenance and staffing costs and return with comparative scenarios.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Conroe reviews five‑year CIP with $375M in proposed water and sewer debt; council orders wastewater alternatives study

Conroe council reviews FY2026 budget, directs staff to model pay scenarios after months of hiring freezes

Conroe council weighs buying voting machines vs. using county after previous election delays