Montgomery ISD approves reserve police officer pool to bolster campus security
Montgomery ISD board of trustees voted to authorize the MISD police department to create a pool of reserve officers at its regular meeting Sept. 16, according to a news release from the district.
How we got here: The move comes after legislation to address school safety passed earlier this year. House Bill 1458 allows school districts to create a pool of reserve officers to help with campus security and school-related events when the school needs more support, according to the release.
What they’re saying: “This new law provides school districts with another important tool to keep our community safe by allowing additional experienced and certified police officers to serve on campuses,” MISD trustee Shawn Denison said in the release.
Owner Joyce Sernec said Willis Business Park is now offering building spaces and a retail strip center in Willis.
The details: Building spaces range from 2,500 to 5,000 square feet, while the retail strip center has 1,500- to 3,000-square-foot units. With access from the frontage road of Highway 75, Sernec said this is the first phase of the new development. Phase 2 will offer build-to-suit options and will break ground soon.
Conroe City Council passes FY 2025-26 budget, flat tax rate
Conroe City Council voted Sept. 11 to adopt the city’s fiscal year 2025-26 budget and maintain the property tax rate at $0.4272 per $100 valuation, the same as the previous year.
The gist: The adopted general fund budget of $135.6 million covers day-to-day city operations, including public safety, parks and city services. As part of the budget, all city employees will receive a 6% cost-of-living adjustment beginning in the new fiscal year Oct. 1.
City staff had presented a proposal to raise the tax rate to $0.4613 per $100 valuation, the maximum allowable without triggering a voter referendum, to fund additional pay raises for Conroe police officers, as previously reported. Council ultimately opted against the increase, keeping the rate flat.
The city’s approved FY 2025-26 general fund budget projects $137.47 million in revenues and $135.6 million in expenditures, resulting in a $1.8 million surplus, according to the agenda packet. The FY 2025-26 budget takes effect Oct. 1.
