HTX-COM: Impact 11/10/2025

Brent Walker, Montgomery’s new city administrator, was appointed May 27 and brings municipal administration and finance experience to his new position. In an interview with Community Impact, Walker shared his top budget priorities and thoughts on growth. 

Can you share a bit about your professional background and what experiences have best prepared you to lead the city of Montgomery?
I’ve spent my career in municipal administration and finance, working in city management, budgeting, and infrastructure planning. This experience gives me a practical understanding of how to balance community needs with sound financial management.

What inspired you to take on this leadership role, and what values or priorities guide your approach to public service?
I was drawn to Montgomery by the chance to support a growing, engaged community. I approach public service with transparency, accountability, and collaboration, focusing on decisions that benefit residents today and in the long term.

In October, home sales increased year over year in the Conroe and Montgomery area, according to market data provided by local real estate firm The Sawyer Realty Group.

In a nutshell: In six of the eight ZIP codes in the Conroe and Montgomery area, home sales increased, with total home sales increasing 9.8% year over year in October.

Missed any Community Impact articles from this week? Check out the top trending stories from Community Impact's coverage areas in Houston from Nov. 3-7.

1. Houston Airport System issues advisory about indefinite TSA delays

2. See unofficial voting results for LCISD’s $1.99B bond

3. Unofficial voting results show all three Magnolia ISD bond propositions fail

4. Conroe ISD's Grand Oaks zoning plan in the works as area continues to grow

5. Sugar Land to make code changes as 52-acre Lake Pointe redevelopment nears construction

More than 20 months after wildfires swept through the Texas Panhandle in early 2024, burning over 1.2 million acres of land, state lawmakers questioned if Texas has the tools needed to tackle another major fire.

The context: Texas is always a fire-prone state, according to the Western Fire Chiefs Association. The association’s website reports that annual wildfire risk is most severe from February-April, when dry grasses and high winds can cause fires to spread, and August-October, when high temperatures and droughts contribute to fires.

“Our purpose today is to figure out—what is our response going to look like next February and March?” Rep. Ken King, a Republican representing Canadian and other Panhandle communities, said during a Nov. 3 committee hearing. “Are we better prepared … or are we in the same position we were in 2024, when our response was lacking?”

The details: Officials said Texas owns just two firefighting aircraft, with others "essentially [subleased] through the federal government."

During peak wildfire season, this means Texas may have access to limited resources.