[{"_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",6597618,"mediaKeyId","3221967-7989bc0f2b9840461b579d88163304eb","parentId",3221967,"title","Candidates call for zoning review, clearer economic strategy and marketing for Stafford","audioSeconds",1159,"startMs",2232000,"endMs",3391000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3221967-7989bc0f2b9840461b579d88163304eb&start=2232&end=3391","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3221967-7989bc0f2b9840461b579d88163304eb/thumbnail_2232000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6597618/Stafford/Fort-Bend-County/Texas/Candidates-call-for-zoning-review-clearer-economic-strategy-and-marketing-for-Stafford","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6597618-43f7592033ccf9c381fd4e0ca975d9b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148258&Signature=h2jc0fYWgoyGNEDZLODFwW4jQ56LxrJs1uBinTtaUfxHMwsDa1qlsaB5wVUjfB0VaCXCguOEXqRILz4S~GMR3FfBhV5erQoIwq5JGoQvncmnnhs-oZrUooIk5fHkf47uWRnyteyw6lfDQ0RPnrKur5n9FXn61rZ6~taXoBRxvo~C4VgekFYZq08p93IUdprA8I4ulmycksm2HptSCcOl4JM3MOyGd0aS-nCcWM3FXFFKNOyMbQBnWycQU0afDsCBKxPCDN5c71u8UnBw7GyjiBcu1uDtnPK1AKZt4fkePSN24o2cs-~F98Zq2ALKX-ELl3W2bvWqy-xQ-X5okLA7Rg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Stafford","date","2025-04-15T00:00:00Z","article","Several candidates said Stafford needs a clearer zoning and economic-development strategy to attract families, reduce transiency and increase sales-tax revenue.

Candidate William Bosley and others said Stafford should expand efforts to attract hotels and destinations at the Stafford Center to drive “heads and beds” and boost sales tax. Bosley described an upcoming business symposium and a plan to create a dedicated Stafford Economic Development Corporation director position to coordinate business recruitment.

Multiple candidates urged updating Stafford’s comprehensive plan and re-examining zoning to preserve corridors, reduce warehouse sprawl and create distinct areas for retail, entertainment and residential uses. “If you want to drive the direction of where you want to take the city, you have to look at zoning,” a candidate who served on the zoning commission said, noting the comprehensive plan had not been updated since about 2018.

Christopher Caldwell and others warned that some agreements with developers (referred to as “the grid”) delay the city’s receipt of sales-tax revenue for years; they urged internal audits of contracts and stricter review of incentive packages so the city benefits sooner from new development.

Candidates tied zoning and economic strategy to population trends and school enrollment, saying well-located retail and family-friendly amenities could help attract and retain young families.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Stafford - Candidates Forum - Apr 15, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Forum candidates urged updated comprehensive planning, targeted zoning and renewed economic-development outreach to attract families and businesses and increase sales-tax revenue.","taxTitle","Stafford, Fort Bend County, Texas","taxId",69474,"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},6597623,"Candidates criticize council dysfunction; mixed views on strong-mayor versus city-manager model",569,3992000,4561000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3221967-7989bc0f2b9840461b579d88163304eb&start=3992&end=4561","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3221967-7989bc0f2b9840461b579d88163304eb/thumbnail_3992000.jpg","/articles/6597623/Stafford/Fort-Bend-County/Texas/Candidates-criticize-council-dysfunction-mixed-views-on-strong-mayor-versus-city-manager-model","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6597623-7c1b1b572c8539b3048edc32b1ca5e62/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148258&Signature=ZLslrCKzhQwXZ3ZCuq2RVIjofm-bb9oJEnK-wo~uV-j8tW0158d2Ym~7AcW1Nj3ynwNMdF5DXJYQi8giBAwzT0Xt2Rfinis1TjI~vZ1xWQfjal~5TJh052rcr04n2M~rNLU-X7yhXu-8bPrvfFXVpq1ZfPcHVj4sjthgZomWDdZuU-HPZ1RqKOyPx1GoE0bGTSQQlhLwn~divBYz16cAFLPUyr7Izd5W78yWa9O3G0lQFUFF6jOMmFwjy7oS7cpBdn~7Axn76mrYF-Es2POwiX9HaeGd77~bpeuEO0iBcyflmpH4ZeaHLWFvbNo15P5zSG5AzmaGI~0Hwssk52mLaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Fort Bend Chamber forum, multiple candidates described ongoing divisions within the Stafford City Council and debated whether the city should consider switching from its current strong-mayor charter to a city-manager (council-manager) form of government.

Christopher Caldwell and others said Stafford had benefited historically from a strong mayor but acknowledged recent leadership and collaboration problems; Caldwell said structural change should be considered only if the city’s services and infrastructure decline. “In the future, if things do not progress…then I would like to revisit that,” he said.

Several candidates said they are not in favor of an immediate charter rewrite. Clay Foster and others argued that hiring a city manager or administrator — which candidates cited as likely to cost roughly $200,000–$250,000 in salary — is not financially prudent now and that the council should first explore an internal city-administrator role and operational efficiencies.

Other candidates criticized what they described as agenda-led council behavior and a lack of citizen-centered decision-making. One candidate said council meetings had become lengthy and divisive and that the city had brought in outside facilitation to address organizational problems.

Candidates consistently recommended improving collaboration, making regular data-driven decisions and protecting key city staff. Several suggested a short-term focus on operational improvements rather than immediate structural overhaul of the charter.","Forum candidates described council divisions and varying support for the city’s strong-mayor charter; most opposed an immediate charter change but urged better collaboration and staff capacity.",{"_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},6597628,"Most candidates back Stafford MSD $150 million bond after district scaled proposal",143,1646000,1789000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3221967-7989bc0f2b9840461b579d88163304eb&start=1646&end=1789","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3221967-7989bc0f2b9840461b579d88163304eb/thumbnail_1646000.jpg","/articles/6597628/Stafford/Fort-Bend-County/Texas/Most-candidates-back-Stafford-MSD-150-million-bond-after-district-scaled-proposal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6597628-b383dab4e557c7624f2dd7f1aa20b8f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148258&Signature=ZROZ2QbGSVb8YYMwSKRgcgczyM-GawNg6KwGFI9BAIsvAXGzz-OoibWSHDt8X~cPfdkOYYSE3CIgtNxGywNEYks2sqMDYC90IeulBe2ezJsrVLLbfFOJ24F~ceh6TBgfT4Ia-cVuapTQBEC9AJFY~lL~l540aADd8tKXwRsSCJy1j~hRk~wFGKVbTSRVImieY7XJt5Ltujigp4XIZEU6YQ1ZD0E0ruhDhjtMia~18Bg-hlFh1th1vKduDST88CrS5~wRhDF7v5lWXE0vcozh~xOCGnS23O0FXrQko9XiDZ1ivhpMs5jCMPpbilcfr3yjPnsJtuYwCT7zoo7Lkv2V4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Candidates at a Fort Bend Chamber forum generally said they support placing the Stafford Municipal School District’s $150 million bond on the May ballot and encouraged voters to decide.

Horace Ray Thomas said he met with district leaders during negotiations and supported the scaled-down proposal, noting the bond had been reduced from an earlier $200 million figure: “We started out with over $200,000,000 and we whittled it down to a hundred and $50,000,000… I wholeheartedly support the bond initiative,” he said.

Christopher Caldwell also endorsed the bond, saying improved school facilities create a “ripple effect” that can help attract families and raise property values. Several other candidates — including William Bosley and Clay Foster — said they would vote for the propositions and urged support to strengthen enrollment and the district’s long-term prospects.

Some candidates warned of headwinds. William Bosley and others noted declining population and potential state voucher programs and charter/private-school competition as long-term enrollment risks. One candidate said the district carried roughly $89 million in existing debt, a figure mentioned as context for voters evaluating additional borrowing.

No formal city action on the bond was taken at the forum. The Fort Bend Chamber encouraged votes for the Stafford Municipal School District bond propositions on the May ballot and reminded attendees of early voting dates and Election Day.","Candidates at a Stafford forum expressed broad support for a $150 million Stafford Municipal School District bond on the May ballot, with several stressing fiscal oversight and the vote of the public.",{"_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},6597633,"Drainage topped candidates’ priorities; views split on assessment fee",128,1509000,1637000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3221967-7989bc0f2b9840461b579d88163304eb&start=1509&end=1637","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3221967-7989bc0f2b9840461b579d88163304eb/thumbnail_1509000.jpg","/articles/6597633/Stafford/Fort-Bend-County/Texas/Drainage-topped-candidates-priorities-views-split-on-assessment-fee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6597633-091e50a66cd86ba43149e2edc193b87c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148258&Signature=B9eDjdNWT-4fcKycEOxJgcbUyLQ-Q1VywOu8ZyCw4XPZosdYrIWP5BIhdG1zWPJxcBkmdgTzpElUx2jJyjyhYkoiP4VyYpbXb3wSpfxl9xoO0DLX50kvLje2Q4pyfpu9eHBu-Kh4Z2cxfCHzCweB2znNX6VKHTwdAp~m3G5bQQuVYMpC3yYWM7TIZ~OpNjcq6jk0oz1XSiumMwrkukSa3-1KzIc3qGXqvhFdsc0Pn1cle~Igc48aV1orxBiYkIixeFQJSkyScV0UGARdI2p5H8Ta37r0BDt9wpRU5ZV6sxtJA3CD-8VrAENXowCa0AjFx-~1jC1qbyy0--k38zHF5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Drainage and flood mitigation were front-and-center at the Fort Bend Chamber forum, with candidates outlining a mix of studies, grant-seeking and infrastructure projects — and expressing different stances on a possible drainage assessment fee.

Candidate William Bosley said the Stafford Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is directing $6,000,000 toward drainage projects in the commercial corridor and described a newly created neighborhood drainage committee that will focus on six residential neighborhoods. “We included 2 drainage studies…for Linda, Craven Road and Crestmont,” Bosley said.

Christopher Caldwell urged faster pursuit of state and federal grants and said he would “accelerate drainage improvement projects in flood prone neighborhoods” while protecting the city budget. Several candidates recommended routine maintenance of ditches, culverts and detention ponds as part of a comprehensive stormwater plan.

Horace Ray Thomas described an approach of learning from neighboring jurisdictions and called an assessment fee “a tool” to be kept in the toolbox: “I will throw it into the toolkit and consider it. If it works, it works. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work,” he said.

Clay Foster and other candidates framed drainage as a capital-planning issue and urged that drainage be included in a citywide long-term capital improvement plan tied to financing options — including EDC funding, assessment districts, or public-utility improvement districts — and targeted neighborhood studies.

No formal vote occurred at the forum. Candidates generally agreed that a mix of targeted studies, maintenance, grant-seeking and coordination with regional entities such as the Houston-Galveston Council of Governments will be necessary to address recurring flooding problems.","Candidates agreed drainage and flood management are pressing infrastructure needs in Stafford, proposing studies, EDC funding and external grants while differing on an assessment fee.",{"_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},6597638,"Stafford candidates split on property tax and push for more budget transparency",2004,613000,2617000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3221967-7989bc0f2b9840461b579d88163304eb&start=613&end=2617","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3221967-7989bc0f2b9840461b579d88163304eb/thumbnail_613000.jpg","/articles/6597638/Stafford/Fort-Bend-County/Texas/Stafford-candidates-split-on-property-tax-and-push-for-more-budget-transparency","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6597638-38d8762b489a02e0739fdddd952e398e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148258&Signature=fxpKSsHnhJLrtz3GxEmDipj~XUIfZlK12xqz~HhkFDbxUf~NuTjidid8yDEfyh1F98kvz8hhHZmAZf~nuJ4kVJFDEssf6eeZwHJ4F9BKCF8UJbcKC1M9LUE6ELLPyCk3Wj3xldqxNX1yQbKWe~jjUDq2vgdd0cHVNW62K-QXi0InF2ZwjVlNHm5YhOIgYN2xHF2~hNPB5miGyAwOIHpk9-ouevxXVpPpsktY930NSUX0mSULdhFn-q1rcHh00GV9GqC~KuIvcsA0LOJZlcyb8xa2sqvCzp53BFWHVG~Vi3eUVRUx9Ae02~qYPmxpxNx3cZOaiq3a~vncswzpkgCcTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Candidates for Stafford City Council at a Fort Bend Chamber forum on April 22 debated whether the city should preserve its long-standing no-property-tax policy, how to increase revenues and the steps needed to improve transparency in the city’s budgeting.

At the forum, candidate William Bosley, introduced as a current city councilman and Stafford Economic Development Corporation director, urged calm and business attraction as the route to revenue growth: “The city is fine…not gonna shut down,” he said, adding that Stafford’s ISO rating remains high and that new business and hotel development could boost sales taxes.

Police officer and candidate Clay Foster said elected officials should “bring the public into the room” to show where money is spent and where shortfalls exist. Candidate Christopher Caldwell, identified himself as a current member of the Stafford City Council and department chair at Houston Community College, said the council cannot unilaterally impose a property tax: “No 7 individuals that sit on city council can implement a property tax. We do not have the power or the authority to do so,” he said, adding that any tax change should be driven by voters and accompanied by full access to the data behind the decision.

Several candidates described a need for a recurring, easy-to-read budget dashboard. Ray Thomas said he had proposed a public dashboard that would show budget status and quarterly performance reporting, and criticized frequent post-adoption budget amendments: “Every year…city council has put together a budget that within 1 week of enacting it, started to amend it,” he said.

Candidates proposed a range of revenue strategies. Foster suggested a crime control and prevention district funded by sales tax diverted from the EDC portion to support public safety; Bosley highlighted EDC-led projects and a hotel-at-the-Stafford-Center strategy to increase “heads and beds.” Others recommended internal efficiency reviews, grant-seeking and an audit of purchasing practices.

The discussion reflected a common caution about raising property taxes. Several candidates said a property tax should be a last resort and emphasized pursuing grants, partnerships and efficiency first. At the same time, multiple speakers said residents must be given clear, repeatable information so they can judge any proposed change.

Looking ahead, candidates urged regular quarterly budget reporting, clearer revenue forecasts tied to specific development projects, and more public outreach about the city’s fiscal condition.","Candidates at a Fort Bend Chamber forum offered competing approaches to Stafford’s finances, with most saying the public should have a direct say on taxes and many urging clearer, repeatable budget reporting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Candidates call for zoning review, clearer economic strategy and marketing for Stafford

Candidates criticize council dysfunction; mixed views on strong-mayor versus city-manager model

Most candidates back Stafford MSD $150 million bond after district scaled proposal

Drainage topped candidates’ priorities; views split on assessment fee

Stafford candidates split on property tax and push for more budget transparency