[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6786898,"mediaKeyId","5587793-56c1bab5495f3981269bc1490f862c3d","parentId",5587793,"title","Conroe council sends broad package of charter amendments to November ballot after debate","audioSeconds",1382,"startMs",1887940,"endMs",3270295,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5587793-56c1bab5495f3981269bc1490f862c3d&start=1887&end=3270","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5587793-56c1bab5495f3981269bc1490f862c3d/thumbnail_1887940.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6786898/Conroe/Montgomery-County/Texas/Conroe-council-sends-broad-package-of-charter-amendments-to-November-ballot-after-debate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6786898-75e441da10f2a8da9a68a213e53d37f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437773&Signature=JQmqaPrwplTt126oAJ7j~itFOG4kQZLQZx3Bt8sgAs3HVRZ0yBZv07YJLuiRloV9sTVQDHFbEJVOCfJ2V~JwV5BtYNBrpB~pX19sezPQ9pwtjhEtrYZkQ~07IbBQYHpHQxa0u4xW76tcT4Oxo8e3978WzGnKTIDH4aSWMUrmhYaRasxBA3ZOptwq5Qiows62n6XW3h9xr~iuT6xULbsDOKkUxus1bjhienXvZW12y53K71z30QxEL23hf9fR14pWtzgVOypP1tI5ikEkJb4EWOa5Bym7WZXbFt0UkZC79D8gt44JYyMQdFlZoMpxsx7BikMwzDzey2Upw1Y1VXeoNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Conroe","date","2025-08-14T00:00:00Z","article","Conroe — The Conroe City Council on Aug. 14 voted to place a broad package of proposed charter amendments on a Nov. 4 special-election ballot after extended public comment and council debate.

The ordinance calling the special election passed by roll call. Councilmembers voted to send measures that would, if approved by voters, change the city's form of government to a council‑manager system; modify agenda, appointment and office rules; set recall petition requirements; and cap certain mayor and council compensation. At least one proposed change — Proposition B, to shorten terms from four years to two — failed, and Proposition E (prohibiting physical offices in city facilities for mayor/council) died for lack of motion.

Why it matters: multiple speakers at two town-hall meetings and during public comment urged the council either to slow the process or to include additional citizen-requested items. Critics warned that holding a partial package in November could bar new charter amendments for two years under state law, potentially delaying measures citizens prioritized.

What the council decided: the council approved — by motion and roll call — placement on the November ballot for the following propositions (summarized):

- Proposition A: Create council‑manager form of government — placed on the ballot after a roll-call vote in which Mayor Pro Tem Wood voted Nay and the remaining voting members approved.

- Proposition B: Reduce mayor/council terms from 4 to 2 years (and impose an 8‑year consecutive term limit) — failed to pass; will not be on the November ballot.

- Propositions C–D, F–G and I–P: A set of procedural and structural charter changes (agenda‑setting rules, quorum/voting thresholds, nomination/confirmation of department heads, board/commission confirmations, restrictions on individual authority, mayor’s disaster powers, candidate financial certification, council benefits, recall-petition rules, special‑meeting thresholds, deletion of secretary-as-finance-director provision, and debt limits) — all were approved for placement on the November ballot.

- Proposition Q: Initially drafted as a fixed-dollar limit on debt issuances without voter approval, the council amended it to limit debt to no more than 10% of the city’s total budget per item; that amendment and the amended proposition were approved for the ballot.

Public input and council concerns: dozens of residents spoke during the citizens-inquiry portion, with recurring themes including the proposed Blackfin compressor‑station project, transparency around development and debt, and the pace of the charter process. Sandra Burke and others warned that approving a partial, administrator-driven package in November risked locking out citizen-prioritized measures for two years.

Next steps: The city has called a public hearing and additional procedures tied to the Nov. 4 special election; the council also set the ordinance and related procedural steps in motion. Voters will decide the approved propositions on Nov. 4, 2025.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Conroe - Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Conroe City Council voted Aug. 14 to place a wide-ranging package of charter amendments on the Nov. 4 special-election ballot, approving most propositions after debate over timing and citizen input; Proposition B failed and Proposition E died for lack of motion.","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},6786883,"Conroe council proposes tax rate 0.4613, schedules Sept. 11 public hearing",57,4217760,4275270,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5587793-56c1bab5495f3981269bc1490f862c3d&start=4217&end=4275","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5587793-56c1bab5495f3981269bc1490f862c3d/thumbnail_4217760.jpg","/articles/6786883/Conroe/Montgomery-County/Texas/Conroe-council-proposes-tax-rate-04613-schedules-Sept-11-public-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6786883-6cdcad9bb0fbb9ad4e6767462a7cf8b8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437773&Signature=C6lKPcMYug1RpZ98QGIQ3aozuGiXpNyZ71Tl1uzlMYETnjAU4aXDh3p~y~weuz4Nf3ZeTqIFuTScr8S~t1OSZE8kBVc9NQtGidjQRJGLArY4TxZ5oNg4esLDvO8ue5tJbuzow1nD-~qUBkAamseZiQstch2igQfDxm3CJF0QEWpBbfBVJyfCbUTCaq9NXMlt3619J8foUdFFg~DRlwEQeYbUEiKwKfIu8KAa7odIMuveiswQLGvJdnnSQQtgWylS4qdSMz00Hk2-74ZoSFR6v6-52P0Zq6PY5bd4tTLn1D1u0WoImKcX4JBIWVY94eS1nG-tsVZBqUeugb8U-2x9Rg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Conroe — On Aug. 14 the Conroe City Council voted to propose a tax rate of 0.4613 per $100 of valuation and set a public hearing for Sept. 11, 2025, at 6 p.m. for budget and tax-rate deliberation.

CFO Gibbs told the council the proposal represents a cap option: \"the purpose of this agenda item is to recommend y'all to propose the tax voter rate is 46.13, like 0.4613 per $100,\" and explained that on the public hearing date the council may set a rate equal to or less than that amount. Councilmembers discussed the timing of a public election and whether a May election would attract fewer voters; historical turnout figures were cited (May: roughly 3,000–6,000; November: 10,000–15,000 in past years).

Why it matters: The proposed rate sets the ceiling for tax deliberations during the budget process; it does not itself change tax bills until the council adopts a final rate. Residents at the meeting asked for greater clarity on outstanding debt and how much of any revenue increase would be applied to debt service.

Next steps: The council will hold the public hearing Sept. 11 and then, during budget deliberations, may adopt a final tax rate at or below the proposed cap.","The Conroe City Council voted to propose a tax rate of 0.4613 per $100 of valuation and scheduled a public hearing for Sept. 11; staff explained the figure and council emphasized that it sets the cap rather than a final rate.",{"_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},6786888,"Conroe council authorizes settlement with San Jacinto River Authority to address water-supply dispute",346,3528590,3875410,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5587793-56c1bab5495f3981269bc1490f862c3d&start=3528&end=3875","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5587793-56c1bab5495f3981269bc1490f862c3d/thumbnail_3528590.jpg","/articles/6786888/Conroe/Montgomery-County/Texas/Conroe-council-authorizes-settlement-with-San-Jacinto-River-Authority-to-address-water-supply-dispute","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6786888-2653fcbc6c37db1c0f5e99f1ae0301c5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437773&Signature=Ucx0n5sw~qxYKUWH8X-p2R2KHNoP12kpxifQLFVF3WtAo1Z5RSmnXEameYLI7lzDpEGBrwCfuYFkWr5Q-7FAVYqEgLoPlzJbsvX6zf1trysQqEly8wFr6ZCnkjET8dKICI-JapKAsEb-Pp1zf9BKiKdaRj8046aWYOGtVVjT~suFAd7PhUm62FK9b6VO19L3eN3NhCwaRKzrJMp8ua0Zd2NDCjHmFbSVg7YEdXETDatai98LqmqSrAUkhGolJ91dLhFUuyWKSAn7E0kuN~n6FBW5WSRaTkSP9XWr53jJ8tcgil7WZe710OAYN7fML61FZa7nVfqOcDJoD7Wxv07EPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Conroe — The Conroe City Council on Aug. 14 authorized the mayor to execute a mutual release and settlement agreement with the San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA) addressing a longstanding dispute over the groundwater reduction plan (GRP) and related litigation.

Councilmembers described the dispute as contentious and long-running; supporters of the settlement argued it will increase the city's water supply immediately, mitigate capacity issues and allow the city to resume development activity that has been under moratorium. Dan Coparst of the Howard Hughes Corporation told the council settling SJRA litigation would increase water supply and help lift the development moratorium, potentially unlocking significant private investment.

Several councilmembers noted the complexity and seriousness of the decision. The city’s outside counsel who has handled the case for many years participated in negotiations, according to council statements. After deliberation and discussion of the terms (some of which the SJRA must approve before public release), council voted to authorize the mayor to execute the settlement documents.

Why it matters: The settlement could have near-term effects on Conroe's water-supply capacity and the city’s ability to serve growth, and it resolves litigation that has shaped development moratoria and engineering plans for the region.

Next steps: The mayor is authorized to execute the settlement and related documents contingent on the SJRA's approvals where relevant; staff said some terms would be made public following SJRA review.","After executive-session discussion, Conroe council authorized the mayor to execute a mutual release and settlement with the San Jacinto River Authority tied to groundwater reduction plan litigation and related matters, citing immediate water needs and long-running litigation.",{"_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},6786893,"Conroe council adopts resolution backing residents’ concerns about proposed Blackfin compressor station",3046,891995,3938685,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5587793-56c1bab5495f3981269bc1490f862c3d&start=891&end=3938","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5587793-56c1bab5495f3981269bc1490f862c3d/thumbnail_891995.jpg","/articles/6786893/Conroe/Montgomery-County/Texas/Conroe-council-adopts-resolution-backing-residents-concerns-about-proposed-Blackfin-compressor-station","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6786893-84b06248679465116e7dccae3e812cf3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437773&Signature=S4rH625zzZNzB9iHZPsr754MuV29gTjiccFSZ8-8HkqkTt9LWybDgRyVCShO8piq~-ogdzGW7GeWRvF-4CFg9rJPRz~HuZcZ33D1hhHheHNM9ynHchLyX4jkFKiGK9RZaICDUwHQA78cWAa6GMya9CBvaCKAxpP0HFFrAtUZkSmr7JjFvRCeXQoeb~sMXYZ7AmKC7Vj6ldZZOs0AluNUnaGNiZV1nKLPEoZtFqLNjeFnl4iXz7geTBc-IOwwManh42AD8Zoqv5f8Wp5Jx8hA~Sr9kGthNY5gmT~-uU0c7KFhNTv7t1CqeORD5bQvrL9IiG1Xp2W2JntyFDPBNPbAkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Conroe — After several residents described safety, noise and disclosure concerns about the Blackfin compressor station project, the Conroe City Council on Aug. 14 adopted a resolution expressing support for affected homeowners and pledging to stand with the community.

Residents repeatedly described the proposed facility as sited too close to homes and critical roadways. Nick Vonus, who said he worked in oil and gas, warned that the site’s design \"makes absolutely no sense from any sane perspective, much less from a life safety point of view\" and questioned whether minimum installation standards were sufficient.

Mayor and councilmembers said they understood the community's concerns and voted unanimously to adopt the resolution supporting residents. Council members emphasized the need to identify who approved the location, to seek public hearings, and to coordinate community warning and evacuation planning in the event of an incident.

Why it matters: The proposed compressor facility is sited near residential and commercial areas, and speakers raised questions about pipeline depth, emergency water suppression capacity and neighborhood notification. Council’s resolution is a political and procedural expression of support; it does not itself change permitting or state regulatory jurisdiction for pipelines.

Next steps: Council indicated it will pursue public hearings and further inquiry into approvals and safety planning; residents and stakeholders may seek additional hearings or regulatory review at county or state levels.","Following multiple public comments raising safety and disclosure concerns about the Blackfin compressor station, Conroe council adopted a resolution pledging support for affected residents and committing to stand with the community on safety and access issues.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Conroe council sends broad package of charter amendments to November ballot after debate

Conroe council proposes tax rate 0.4613, schedules Sept. 11 public hearing

Conroe council authorizes settlement with San Jacinto River Authority to address water-supply dispute

Conroe council adopts resolution backing residents’ concerns about proposed Blackfin compressor station