[{"_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",6154453,"mediaKeyId","5484878-ff26e3b863511f0b56a0bfbf5446cbb9","parentId",5484878,"title","Township’s intergovernmental relations director outlines 89th Legislature outcomes, flags special-session items","audioSeconds",192,"startMs",2160000,"endMs",2352000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5484878-ff26e3b863511f0b56a0bfbf5446cbb9&start=2160&end=2352","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5484878-ff26e3b863511f0b56a0bfbf5446cbb9/thumbnail_2160000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6154453/The-Woodlands/Montgomery-County/Texas/Townships-intergovernmental-relations-director-outlines-89th-Legislature-outcomes-flags-special-session-items","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6154453-43af6f904c671c1f26427289c32ea65f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770417768&Signature=K5Ay8IJL5Ri~U12LHOo7piYfeyigI-SPiyUA8yl-NwvDfCdwfga5NQmgAMWl0xVoWhFBCMa-kUROoPxEexKsck3IaUqPvs9Zm62hjq3TqQQlEFMcM8btWKspJSniXFHxdvy~ZsGOXD5Pibo79xiEL4wxuRfsQ6GHNDU9PqzuTByQsHZS2PKVcspn1ZTFBpt7KbP2UxPHJhNqf4vyX8K0MunGj~CHz3XBWLmxAf83OYdrAGBY4BkWhGlO0w0Nwuk6k7f8khC5UMclElTpI7AwvQnYMXziGGwPXktmk1--ZVylojgsZZ2yLfTqZmZe2lx9MF5FWyn6Jwm7LZMKy4HgYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Woodlands, TX","date","2025-07-23T00:00:00Z","article","Todd Stevens, the township’s director of intergovernmental relations, told the board that roughly 11,500 bills were filed in the regular session and that just under 3,600 became law. Stevens called out several bills the township tracked and summarized items the board should watch in the ensuing special session.

He identified House Bill 21 as a key change affecting housing finance corporations, saying the bill prevents a housing finance corporation acting with a local government from removing property from the originating jurisdiction’s tax rolls without input. Stevens said the township had identified two properties purchased by HFCs that could have removed up to about $85 million from its rolls absent the reforms.

Stevens reported changes to the Public Information Act, the Open Meetings Act and laws related to utility providers, vegetation management and polling infrastructure. He highlighted HB 2012 (described in the packet and by board members during the meeting) as giving counties, including Montgomery County, authority to regulate roadside vendors and certain activities on parking lots and public right of way; Montgomery County officials were reported to be drafting an ordinance for consideration before the bill’s effective date.

Stevens also summarized early-voting changes that will take effect after implementation timelines: the law sets a 12-day early-voting period with calendar adjustments that eliminate a gap between early voting and election day, and expands Sunday hours for early voting in 2027 implementation phases. He noted some proposals the township opposed (a requirement to hold continuation elections for certain districts every 10 years), which did not advance in committee this session.

On the special session called by the governor, Stevens said the initial call includes disaster and flood-related items—warning systems, flood infrastructure and evacuation routes—proposals to ban taxpayer-funded lobbying, ad valorem tax and property-tax–related measures, and other items. He said staff will continue to monitor bills on utilities, property taxes and disaster response and will return with details as the special session proceeds.

Board members asked for clarification on Senate Bill 17 (foreign land ownership) and whether it applies to residential property; Stevens said he would research the specific property types affected and report back. Stevens also noted reports in the board packet prepared by Williams Public Affairs, Schwartz Page and Harding summarizing special-purpose district legislation and other tracked bills.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle"," Board of Directors Regular Meeting Jul 23, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Todd Stevens, the township’s director of intergovernmental relations, briefed the board on key outcomes of the 89th Texas Legislature and the topics staff will track in the governor’s special session.","taxTitle","The Woodlands, Montgomery County, Texas","taxId",2809,"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},6154458,"Montgomery County and Precinct 3 report falling crime trends, describe tech and overtime used to target theft and exploitation",484,596000,1080000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5484878-ff26e3b863511f0b56a0bfbf5446cbb9&start=596&end=1080","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5484878-ff26e3b863511f0b56a0bfbf5446cbb9/thumbnail_596000.jpg","/articles/6154458/The-Woodlands/Montgomery-County/Texas/Montgomery-County-and-Precinct-3-report-falling-crime-trends-describe-tech-and-overtime-used-to-target-theft-and-exploitation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6154458-a4de6917a27e6643ef57f7e849a9a1e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770417768&Signature=Rk9rat6eAdU0lapjMwwxwLmccTIsyRivrn9K9BGG1wOFwZEJ54bCF5UZuVoIOwk8~jc6xtJqAPK~pIMUPbIoatCcJucLtJ6rKU17~tf7JNEX61MifEMVcjPWUTja7nFHS5JkZ4fWtRKczz8ZJffQ2Sl3j-9K79WCaHn3Pqg9dpI4ljC2M-zfVb-OCh1UTktx08FcrAeVgB87ly-MV5X01rXTTFuDX-W2NbF5FHI3qELMaQ~LXv5ysNuxa95vBHaAe~FK-Ab8hdmOxVNm0Cr2QEs5fw0shmu--pGqnQ3qlPde1u2IKNzJwFo7XgVfWO2NLEbFvKNmCTePsuIf8OMnbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Woodlands Township board on Wednesday heard a second-quarter law enforcement update from Montgomery County Sheriff's Office and Montgomery County Constable Precinct 3 that described falling crime trends, use of township-funded overtime patrols and technology, and a series of targeted operations against bank-following thefts and child exploitation.

Montgomery County Captain Ryan Drody told the board that 12-month crime trends are “trending down” and that calls for service remain steady as the county enters summer months. Drody said deputies began tracking overtime and productivity starting June 1; from that date through mid-June deputies worked 314 hours of proactively directed overtime in township areas, focused around the Town Center, Market Street and the mall. He said that overtime patrols resulted in 11 arrests and cited one traffic stop that led to seizure of 16.5 grams of cocaine, a vehicle, and $6,700 in currency.

Assistant Chief Rick Bass described a coordinated “crime reduction” operation aimed at a national trend known as bank “jugging,” in which offenders follow bank customers after withdrawals. Bass said the county partnered with Houston Police Department, Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Texas DPS and the township-funded crime reduction unit; he reported eight arrests in Montgomery County tied to those bank-following operations and said Harris County made additional arrests.

Sheriff’s office speakers and the constable’s presentation highlighted expanded use of technology. Bass and other presenters said the Flock license-plate camera system and other tools allowed investigators to identify suspects more quickly. Drody described one case that began with a witness obtaining a license plate; he said Flock helped track the vehicle and led to an arrest within a week on charges related to an attempted assault.

Montgomery County and fire-marshals staff displayed robotics and SWAT support equipment used to reduce risk for first responders. A fire marshal described the Boston Dynamics “Spot” robot and a smaller iXor-type robot, saying they are used in bomb, SWAT and hazmat responses and are deployed on most SWAT activations. Presenters said the larger robot’s purchase price is about $300,000 and the smaller unit about $100,000, with an all-inclusive warranty for Spot costing roughly $27,000 annually.

Constable Precinct 3 presented statistics for several proactive units. The office’s special victims unit and child-exploitation unit reported new felony charges and operations during April–June; speakers said the child-exploitation unit worked multiagency operations that resulted in arrests of offenders attempting to meet minors. The constable’s criminal interdiction unit reported hundreds of traffic stops and large seizures of narcotics and currency in the quarter, listing quantities described to the board (marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl and nearly $40,000 in seized currency) and reporting about 50 felony charges and 13 misdemeanors from unit operations.

Panel members also described a constable-run canine capability of two dual-purpose and single-purpose K-9s; Montgomery County said its SWAT team includes 26 deputies and two sergeants. Speakers encouraged the public to call two updated county numbers for information and dispatch: (936) 760-5800 and (936) 538-5900.

After the presentations the board voted to accept the law enforcement report (voice vote).","Sheriff’s office and Precinct 3 constable presented a second-quarter update to The Woodlands Township board highlighting declining overall crime, proactive overtime-funded patrols, a bank-‘jugging’ enforcement operation, expanded technology use including Flock cameras and robotics, and arrests from child-exploitation and interdiction units.",{"_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},6154437,"HTX Soccer reports summer camps and Houston Youth Cup plans at township meeting",226,141000,367000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5484878-ff26e3b863511f0b56a0bfbf5446cbb9&start=141&end=367","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5484878-ff26e3b863511f0b56a0bfbf5446cbb9/thumbnail_141000.jpg","/articles/6154437/The-Woodlands/Montgomery-County/Texas/HTX-Soccer-reports-summer-camps-and-Houston-Youth-Cup-plans-at-township-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6154437-f3f656463ca26cc5ca1558452f8a4e55/orig.mp4?Expires=1770417768&Signature=ZJMwQVC6le0rlE9hbEHwO4gzFPnmNba2f0FzM-bpmCTDXZSwQ~oIldQrHWLRxM5QrlmXEtdiC1mC2ei~I13678QsDQIyk5yhVES-EnFSBAXX7BBAewUFc8MezixbeO2ME9QTRaVfQag3tKWU2riwQ0U7WzcC6Xuha27PFG6ykrEcWKxo4SZGuTal87dMHVxyuNZVBHHnOHRLKI2-C4MpRH79wz2F1tBARvDRB98A960YNTVZil8wBfSNqJ~7mgpb83RoUB7zsqKs98oKZtDxyeqskyqQaPgFI2kMzJmP~t0vgkzc~nFzIGGANqTpDaFbuyzJMub6-PLJfMhq24rZBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Simon Bodysin, director of soccer operations for HTX Soccer, addressed The Woodlands Township board during the public‑comment period to report on summer activities and upcoming events.

Bodysin said HTX staged eight to 10 summer camps in the township for ages 3 and up, serving “about 500 plus players,” and described competitive postseason travel for teams—saying 28 teams qualified for national‑level playoffs in 2025 versus 17 the prior year. He told the board HTX will host the Houston Youth Cup in August, using Gosling, Bear Branch and Alden Bridge facilities; Bodysin said organizers expect roughly 250 teams and about 3,000 players and supporters over the event weekend and that township hotels are being used for lodging.

Bodysin said the fall season would begin in September with the REX program and that HTX would return with additional participation data after the August event.","Simon Bodysin, director of soccer operations for HTX Soccer, addressed the board during public comment to report summer programming numbers and preview the August Houston Youth Cup that will use township fields and hotels.",{"_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},6154443,"Township posts favorable mid‑year finances; sales‑tax receipts exceed budget by about $2.2 million",205,2840000,3045000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5484878-ff26e3b863511f0b56a0bfbf5446cbb9&start=2840&end=3045","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5484878-ff26e3b863511f0b56a0bfbf5446cbb9/thumbnail_2840000.jpg","/articles/6154443/The-Woodlands/Montgomery-County/Texas/Township-posts-favorable-midyear-finances-salestax-receipts-exceed-budget-by-about-22-million","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6154443-46a1f0dac5fe1530d2b0a49ad7f99152/orig.mp4?Expires=1770417768&Signature=C4Ur3gNAWoVdGujNVI4clXqb0gf-jKhJMy~MXBHgAii-AFX7o3fFQ6juPxT7zrGzwa0~dcLS-nrTx7paO0EzaYuAJ2QmDzhmZ7EWB3K5snXl-6oErFmpdZGes6jfcnZqMYCW6z8bbCaaqbWdXUICfOyzPVmsIs875Xa8ygkAYobf7AujsaosG0AWKGNbonSn7G0tJx05xCfPQg~U1zIoqmhCItzSLMSnRFV1wTJFL2YCOtySa7L5f3R1r47d~3OscIbG5z-~B1KB4w2iDAMXgGnfBWpOvpoSI577FuJq95DojPVwkcRrEjpXRDlhHJeXmbm~Cqsxyw0e2iBR10KIJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kellen Shaw, the township’s chief financial officer, presented the June 2025 financial report showing year‑to‑date revenues and expenses through the fiscal half‑year.

Shaw said year‑to‑date budgeted revenues were $95.3 million and actual collections totaled $98.9 million, a favorable variance of about $3.6 million. The largest contributor to the favorable revenue variance was sales tax, which was about $2.7 million over budget; year‑to‑date sales‑tax collections were reported at $47.8 million versus a budget of $45.5 million. Shaw attributed the additional sales tax largely to manufacturing and oil and gas related activity and noted that retail trade and a few other NAICS categories make up roughly 75% of the township’s sales‑tax base.

On the expense side, year‑to‑date operating expenditures were budgeted at $68.6 million with actual spending of $62.3 million, a favorable variance of about $6.3 million. Shaw said operating departments, including customer engagement, parks and contracted services, are running favorable to budget primarily due to timing of contracted services and equipment purchases; he indicated that approximately $2.064 million of the favorable variance in the customer‑engagement category relates to law enforcement timing and said he would break law enforcement out separately in future reports at the board’s request.

Shaw also reviewed hotel occupancy tax and mixed‑beverage tax performance; hotel occupancy tax was roughly on budget year to date and mixed beverage tax was slightly above budget ($865,000 actual versus $836,000 budget). Board members discussed the influence of the Pavilion concert schedule on mixed‑beverage tax receipts and noted that one large venue year can substantially influence annual totals.

Board members discussed the township’s use of external lobbyists to secure legislative changes that yielded new revenue; one board member noted the township recovered $1.76 million annually in a sales‑tax shift for hotels and restaurants as a result of lobbying effort described earlier. The board voted to accept the financial report.","CFO Kellen Shaw reported June 2025 financials showing year‑to‑date revenues above budget by approximately $3.6 million—driven mainly by $2.7 million above budget in sales tax—and year‑to‑date operating expenditures below budget by about $6.3 million; board asked for law‑enforcement line‑item detail to be split from customer engagement.",{"_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},6154448,"Board shifts 2025 meeting schedule to third and fourth Thursdays to comply with new Open Meetings posting rule",126,2666000,2792000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5484878-ff26e3b863511f0b56a0bfbf5446cbb9&start=2666&end=2792","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5484878-ff26e3b863511f0b56a0bfbf5446cbb9/thumbnail_2666000.jpg","/articles/6154448/The-Woodlands/Montgomery-County/Texas/Board-shifts-2025-meeting-schedule-to-third-and-fourth-Thursdays-to-comply-with-new-Open-Meetings-posting-rule","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6154448-c743c14c3c38f9a21264adcb4603a126/orig.mp4?Expires=1770417768&Signature=eCLK~HIWTzqhd0d32jB4fra9AosdmMyE4ZY8YWqBkKndrSPAzt5rfBBczBbc1InyHj4AQw2GxWxa7LRllQ15C7lwojb5RZUpt2Ot0LiHew98TmyEqXJk8~zUT1j0Dhwnf~7-Ye6yvlK1JGiWD0BXqXuGJn4epNFS4k1xNV6PgpXMs2KT27HsT-TaSyygROAWHjwHxt54f9qCzDf6jwqGX9ZmixLZrLbwYeyQOQg5koeFpLh6Uxc8ldGRKUf0jozzXlRvaALld1kFcu0lEmLP7PkWQKgykSGJgDyFhU4f0~i6bkksKgXPQLU7uYu6zELYXriQe4uqKcgKFaGzc9SFKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Woodlands Township board voted to change its 2025 meeting calendar for meetings on or after Sept. 1 to the third and fourth Thursdays of each month to comply with a change to public‑meeting posting requirements.

Todd Stevens explained that under a new law affecting the Open Meetings Act the timeline for public notice will shift from a 72‑hour rule to a requirement to post notices within three business days of the meeting date, effective Sept. 1. Stevens said that change makes it difficult for meetings held Monday–Wednesday, so staff recommended consolidating meetings to later in the week. The board was shown a redline calendar in the packet demonstrating how dates would align after Sept. 1.

A motion to adopt the revised 2025 meeting schedule and amend the board operations policy passed by voice vote. Stevens and staff said postings would continue to occur on Fridays as practicable prior to meeting weeks and that the change was intended to ensure compliance with the new posting timeline while preserving sufficient time to prepare agendas and materials.","Staff recommended and the board approved moving board meetings to the third and fourth Thursdays of each month for meetings on or after Sept. 1 to comply with a new requirement to post meeting notices within three business days; the board also authorized amendments to the board operations policy and calendar.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Township’s intergovernmental relations director outlines 89th Legislature outcomes, flags special-session items

Montgomery County and Precinct 3 report falling crime trends, describe tech and overtime used to target theft and exploitation

HTX Soccer reports summer camps and Houston Youth Cup plans at township meeting

Township posts favorable mid‑year finances; sales‑tax receipts exceed budget by about $2.2 million

Board shifts 2025 meeting schedule to third and fourth Thursdays to comply with new Open Meetings posting rule